Mothers should be cautioned that the human immunodeficiency virus is transmitted through breast milk. When an infant suckles the breast, endocrinologic effects result in lactation amenorrhea, or failure to menstruate. This occurs only when breast milk is the sole source of food for the infant and breast feeding is done throughout the entire day. Some women are unable to change their lifestyles to accommodate the schedule of breast feeding. These mothers should not be made to feel guilty or forced to nurse their infants.
Breast feeding can be a very simple and satisfactory way to feed an infant.
Pulling the rump of the infant in close relieves the need for the mother to hold back the breast to prevent its interference with the child's breathing, which is often necessary with other techniques. This is because the tummy to tummy position changes the angle of the infant's head to the breast. If the nipple or a finger is touched to the infant's lips or cheek, the child will turn toward the breast on the same side and open the mouth to grasp the nipple. If this technique is used, the mother must be careful that the baby does not end being positioned with the head turned, which is likely to cause the infant to suck poorly. As a rule, the baby nurses at each breast at a feeding.