Final answer:
To enhance breastfeeding in infants with respiratory distress, promote skin-to-skin contact and early breastfeeding. Colostrum plays a vital role in boosting the newborn's immune system due to its concentration of antibodies and immunoglobulins.
Step-by-step explanation:
Increasing Breastfeeding Chances in Infants with Respiratory Distress
To increase the chance of breastfeeding if an infant is in respiratory distress, it is essential to promote skin-to-skin contact and initiate breastfeeding early.
This early initiation helps stimulate a more vigorous suckling response, often leading to a better latch and easier breastfeeding.
Furthermore, breast milk, especially colostrum, is rich in immunoglobulins and provides crucial active immunity to the newborn, which is paramount for their developing immune system.
The lactogenic effect of the suckling motion and the release of prolactin and oxytocin can also aid in mother's milk production, following the principle of positive feedback.
Medical interventions for Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) in newborns can include treatments that support breathing, such as CPAP, and providing pulmonary surfactant to reduce breathing difficulty and enhance lung function until the infant's own surfactant production is sufficient.
Regarding colostrum, it is most important to a newborn because it helps boost the newborn's immune system.
The presence of antibodies and immunoglobulins in the colostrum gives the newborn a necessary defense against pathogens during early life.
Also, the oxytocin release triggered by suckling aids in expelling meconium, which can help in clearing bilirubin and preventing jaundice in newborns.