Children who are breastfed strengthen their immune systems. Breast feeding also reduces the risk of diarrhoea and ear infection in infants.
Epidurals and breast feeding
The use of spinal anaesthesia, also called epidural blockade, during labour is becoming more common because women are increasingly affected by pain during labour, and an epidural blockade is an effective treatment for pain.
An epidural blockade is achieved by introducing a thin catheter with local aesthetic to the lower part of the spine where the spinal chord gives way to spinal fluid. This blockade blocks the nerves leading from the stomach muscles and the uterus.
Research indicates that the women who get epidural blocks more frequently have problems with breast feeding than women who do not. It is believed that some of the anaesthetics used can affect the newborn. Epidural blocks may also cause difficulty with starting breast feeding and inhibit the ability for breast feeding before the recommended six months.
An in depth article is forthcoming.
