BIOLOGICAL NURTURING

BIOLOGICAL NURTURING • Jean Meadows April 2010

Step 4 UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative • All mothers should be given their babies to hold with skin to skin contact in an unhurried environment for an unlimited period as soon as possible after delivery

Four Basic Needs • Oxygen • Warmth • Nutrition • protection

Biological Nurturing • BN is defined as any mother/baby behaviour at the breast where baby is in close contact with the mother’s body contours. (SD Colson et al.2008)

Biological Nurturing • BN is an extension of skin to skin. • It builds on the effects on the body of the close contact between mum and baby. • It doesn’t negate the need to know about the more traditional approaches to breastfeeding. Rather, it enhances our knowledge of why babies search for the breast. • Remember the effects of BN are important for bottle feeding babies too.

BN position for baby • BN positions build on the Tummy to Mummy position. • Full BN position entails the baby lying on top of the mother: Facing Close Touching Mother does not have to hold the baby. Gravity maintains baby position.

Mother’s Position in BN • The mother should be sacral dependant but not flat. • 15o – 64o appears to be optimal to initiate breast feeding. • Every part of the mother’s body should be supported. • The mother’s body opens up.

Full Biological Nurturing Position Baby’s chest is in close contact with mum’s body Contour. Unrestricted access to breast

Behavioural States • When physical contact between mother and baby is unrestricted following birth concentrations of oxytocin in maternal blood seems to be higher than just before the birth (Nissen et al.1996) • Why is that important?

Oxytocin • Oxytocin is produced in the same area of the brain as the hormone Vasopressin. • Vasopressin is needed to produce the fight or flight hormone Adrenalin. • Research shows that when oxytocin is stimulated it pours into the brain and dampens the effect of Vasopressin.

Why is that significant? • Adrenaline rapidly prepares the body for action in emergency situations. • It increases the heart and respiratory rate. • As a side effect high levels increase anxiety.

The effects of adrenaline • Not exactly the state we want our mums in when they feed! • But how many of us have seen this!!

The effects of Oxytocin • Calm • Lower heart rate • Higher pain threshold • Higher social interaction • Less anxious • Soporific

Innate behaviours Primitive Neurological Behaviours Identified as Feeding Reflexes by SD Colson et al (2008) Endogenous (cues) Hand to Mouth Tongue Dart Mouth Gape Root Arm Cycle Leg Cycle

Innate Behaviours • Motor (finding and latching) • Palmer grasp • Plantar step • Plantar grasp • Crawling • Babinski (big toe curling/toe fanning)

Innate Behaviours • Rhythmic • Suck • Swallow

Innate Behaviours • Anti-Gravity (finding/latching) • Head righting • Head lifting • Head bobbing

So what does all this mean for our practice? • We should all be allowing our mothers to have unlimited, unrestricted skin to skin contact with their babies, as soon after birth as possible • This is especially important when labour may inhibit the mum’s own production of oxytocin i.e.: • The use of epidural. • The use of oxytocin. • Instrumental or operative delivery.

…………………….Continued • We should be encouraging BN on the Post Natal Ward. • It should be our first defence when babies are not interested in the breast. • The mother’s should be allowed time to listen to their own maternal instincts. • Just think a method of helping mums and babies to feed that actually works better if we are not there!!!

Finally. BN works for every other mammal on the planet. Why should we be any different?

There’s more • Thank You

BIOLOGICAL NURTURING