This rational will focus on neonatal jaundice with a concentration on the associated implications of breastfeeding. The relevance of this topic is undeniable when considering that exclusively breastfed babies are at an increased risk of neonatal jaundice and the high prevalence of jaundice in newborns (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), 2010). Between 60-80% of newborns will develop some form of jaundice within the first week of life, 10% of those are likely to have prolonged jaundice if exclusively breastfed; this is jaundice lasting longer than 14 days in full term babies and 21 days in preterm babies (NICE, 2010; Maisel et al., 2014). Therefore, a key priority when discussing neonatal jaundice with mothers is that
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This study can be praised for its use of an RCT; this rigorous methodology provides evidence that is …., thus, the results can be concluded as accurate. However, the study’s population were primarily from Nepal, this reduces the ecological validity of the results, therefore, this is low-quality evidence to support the importance of effective breastfeeding for newborns at risk of jaundice. Nevertheless, other UK reports have commented on the importance of frequent breastfeeds for babies with jaundice and the need for mothers to receive feeding support (NICE, 2010). Despite this, a 2010 survey found that 54% of mothers stop exclusively breastfeeding 2 weeks after postnatal discharge due to feeding difficulties (McAndrew et al., 2012) However, these figures can seem to be outdated, reducing the potential validity of the data. Yet, a link can be drawn to inadequate breastfeeding technique and the quick postnatal discharge many women experience in the NHS (NCC-WCH, 2010; …show more content…
(2015) discovered that, although increased breastfeeding support post discharge increased the mothers’ confidence, it did not prolong the length of time mothers continued breastfeeding for, highlighting that the decision to stop breastfeeding is multifactual. Nevertheless, Maisels (2015) also supported the notion that a more effective breastfeeding technique could lower neonatal jaundice. It was suggested that demand for treatment of neonatal jaundice could be reduced with increased breastfeeding support (Maisels, 2015). Therefore, the evidence does suggest that there is an issue surrounding the initial support mothers receive regarding breastfeeding, although more evidence may be needed to fully link initial ineffective breastfeeding and neonatal jaundice. Maisels (2015) also suggested that there were benefits in substituting breastfeeding with formula feed if jaundice was present, a controversial idea in current literature. Although the known healthy benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and baby were noted, Maisel (2015) argued using formula feed instead of breastmilk would reduce hospital admission costs and the negative side effects of treatment, from the potential damage that phototherapy can cause, to the anxiety felt by mother and baby due to separation and
This study can be praised for its use of an RCT; this rigorous methodology provides evidence that is …., thus, the results can be concluded as accurate. However, the study’s population were primarily from Nepal, this reduces the ecological validity of the results, therefore, this is low-quality evidence to support the importance of effective breastfeeding for newborns at risk of jaundice. Nevertheless, other UK reports have commented on the importance of frequent breastfeeds for babies with jaundice and the need for mothers to receive feeding support (NICE, 2010). Despite this, a 2010 survey found that 54% of mothers stop exclusively breastfeeding 2 weeks after postnatal discharge due to feeding difficulties (McAndrew et al., 2012) However, these figures can seem to be outdated, reducing the potential validity of the data. Yet, a link can be drawn to inadequate breastfeeding technique and the quick postnatal discharge many women experience in the NHS (NCC-WCH, 2010; …show more content…
(2015) discovered that, although increased breastfeeding support post discharge increased the mothers’ confidence, it did not prolong the length of time mothers continued breastfeeding for, highlighting that the decision to stop breastfeeding is multifactual. Nevertheless, Maisels (2015) also supported the notion that a more effective breastfeeding technique could lower neonatal jaundice. It was suggested that demand for treatment of neonatal jaundice could be reduced with increased breastfeeding support (Maisels, 2015). Therefore, the evidence does suggest that there is an issue surrounding the initial support mothers receive regarding breastfeeding, although more evidence may be needed to fully link initial ineffective breastfeeding and neonatal jaundice. Maisels (2015) also suggested that there were benefits in substituting breastfeeding with formula feed if jaundice was present, a controversial idea in current literature. Although the known healthy benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and baby were noted, Maisel (2015) argued using formula feed instead of breastmilk would reduce hospital admission costs and the negative side effects of treatment, from the potential damage that phototherapy can cause, to the anxiety felt by mother and baby due to separation and