Down syndrome babies and breastfeeding

Barriers to breastfeeding

The very fact that an infant is born with Down syndrome is, in itself, a barrier to breastfeeding. Parents reported several specific health issues - ranging from premature birth to heart defects. Babies with Down syndrome are often unable to offer clear feeding cues, and can be extremely sleepy and difficult to rouse for a feeding. In addition, these infants may be born with immediate health issues that require hospitalization - resulting in separation from their breastfeeding parent.

All new mothers face a variety of barriers to breastfeeding, so it is not surprising to find similar issues reported by mothers of Down syndrome babies. These included perception of insufficient milk supply, post-natal illness, mental health issues (depression, stress, fatigue, etc.) and a lack of knowledge about breastfeeding. Authors of one study even suggested that a mother's sense of milk supply insufficiency could be the result of the Down syndrome baby's sucking problems.

Lack of practical help

Unfortunately, some new parents didn't even realize that it was possible to breastfeed their Down syndrome infant - while others didn't know the right techniques for successful breastfeeding.

Healthcare professionals also formed a barrier to breastfeeding - especially when they were unsupportive, didn't promote breastfeeding, or did not believe that Down syndrome babies have the ability to successfully breastfeed.

Some mothers felt that that they were not being encouraged or offered practical help, and that healthcare professionals pushed them to bottle feed. Then there was the risk of Down syndrome babies being fed with a nasogastric tube. If this happens during their first 6 months, there is less chance they will receive 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding.

Professional support

The good news is that there are ways to help increase the chances that a Down syndrome baby will be breastfed. Offering professional support is key. When healthcare professionals get an early start, they can nip quite a few problems in the bud.

Special attention should be paid to latch-on and breast milk expression - as well as continuing to encourage mothers to keep on trying, even when the going is tough. And if needed, call in the help of a lactation specialist with Down syndrome experience.

Another factor for success is understanding how breastfeeding works. Which may explain why mothers with breastfeeding experience appear to manage better. Most importantly, parents should be encouraged to keep on trying when dealing with barriers - and be aware that help is available if needed. And let's not forget the power of compassionate family and friends. Their support can go a long way to reassuring parents, and lending a loving hand when necessary.

Reference
Zhen L, Moxon J, Gorton S, Hook D. Can I breastfeed my baby with Down syndrome? A scoping review. J Paediatr Child Health. 2021 Sep 29.