Breastfeeding challenges in infants with nasal breathing difficulties: alternative supplemental feeding methods

Abstract

This review article highlights the features of breastfeeding in case of obstructed nasal breathing in infants, special attention is paid to non-sucking or alternative methods of bottle feeding with expressed breast milk for the period when breastfeeding is not possible or formula supplementation is necessary as an addition to breastfeeding.Breathing through the mouth is considered a pathological adaptation due to difficulty in nasal breathing and is associated with the development of many pathological conditions. There is an evidence base that prolonged breastfeeding is associated with nasal breathing at an older age, as well as the correct formation of the bite. The anatomical and physiological features of the structure of the upper respiratory tract in infants predispose to a more frequent occurrence of difficult nasal breathing compared to adults, which causes difficulties in breastfeeding, up to the refusal of the child’s breast. Therefore, knowledge of modern methods of supplementary feeding with expressed breast milk for this period, as well as ways to effectively and safely deal with nasal congestion in infants, will help doctors and parents to overcome the difficult period of the disease, accompanied by nasal congestion without loss and maintain breastfeeding for as long as possible, in the light of modern data on influence of breast milk on the subsequent life of mother and child.The main method of treatment for nasal congestion of various etiologies is irrigation-elimination therapy. According to the literature, good tolerability and no side effects were found when using a nasal aspirator used in conjunction with isotonic saline.