An Outlook on Breastfeeding Assessment Tools- A Review

Abstract

Breastfeeding is a biological inheritance shared by women all around the world. It is the ‘natural’ way to feed new born babies, and the best source of nutrition for infants. After birth, loose stools and pneumonia are more frequent and serious in the formula fed babies, and can cause deaths. Otitis media, haemophilus influenza meningitis, and urinary tract infection are less frequent in babies who are fed human milk. Infants who are formula fed have a greater chance of developing chronic illnesses, such as asthma, diabetes mellitus type l, and intestinal diseases like inflammatory bowel disease. Coordination of mother and infant is most important for breast feeding to be successful. Ineffective breast feeding can contribute to mortality among new born babies and infants. Hence various breastfeeding assessment tools have been developed to advise and promote mother’s comfort, motivation, and assess the infant's neurobehavioural development. In this review, the literature to find out the most commonly used breastfeeding assessment tools, their salient features, advantages and disadvantages, acceptability, usage and validation have been reviewed.