Courses

Breastfeeding and Human Milk: Supporting the Dyad Through Evidence-Based Nutrition

How can healthcare professionals support breastfeeding families through evidence-based nutrition and early clinical intervention?

Author(s): Óscar Hincapié, MD; Mary Kaminski, DNP, APRN, NNP-BC

Program Date: 01 October 2026

Publication Date: 01 October 2026

Continuing Education Credits: This educational event is not eligible for healthcare professional continuing education credit

Course Description:

Human milk is the recommended source of nutrition for infants, and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and World Health Organization (WHO) recommend exclusive breastfeeding through 6 months of age, with continued breastfeeding alongside complementary foods for 2 years and beyond, as mutually desired. This module reviews the science of human milk and breastfeeding while providing practical strategies to support breastfeeding parents and infants.

Through a newborn case study, physicians will explore common breastfeeding challenges, including poor latch, feeding concerns, and maternal barriers. The course discusses practical approaches to feeding assessment, lactation support, infant growth monitoring, and early intervention to support positive maternal and infant outcomes.

Course Objectives:
  • Review current AAP and WHO breastfeeding recommendations
  • Describe the nutritional and bioactive composition of human milk
  • Recognize common challenges to breastfeeding
  • Identify clinical opportunities to support breastfeeding mothers and infants
Key Takeaways:
  • The AAP and WHO recommend exclusive breastfeeding through 6 months of age, and the continuation of breastfeeding with complementary foods is encouraged, as long as mutually desired, for 2 years or beyond
  • There are many benefits to breastfeeding for both moms and babies
  • Human milk is a complex system with nutritive and non-nutritive components, is dynamic, and designed to grow infants and promote complete nutrient utilization
  • Early breastfeeding challenges are common and expected
  • For mothers who cannot or choose not to breastfeed, educate on a suitable breast milk substitute
  • Support from the physician and the healthcare team can significantly influence breastfeeding outcomes

Performance Indicators: N/A

Activity Code: N/A

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Related Questions:
  • What are the current recommendations for breastfeeding?
    The American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization recommend exclusive breastfeeding for approximately the first 6 months of life. Breastfeeding may then continue alongside complementary foods for 2 years and beyond, as long as it is mutually desired by both mother and infant.
  • What Interventions can healthcare professionals provide when breastfeeding challenges arise?
    Effective interventions may include monitoring infant growth, encouraging frequent feeding and pumping, evaluating feeding effectiveness, facilitating referral to lactation consultants, supporting maternal recovery and rest, and providing evidence-based feeding education tailored to family needs.

Course Instructor Bio(s):

Óscar Hincapié, MD

Medical Director, Latin America 
Abbott Nutrition
Bogotá, Colombia

Dr Oscar Hincapié earned his Medical Degree from the University of La Sabana, Bogotá, Colombia; completed his pediatrics residency at the Militar Central Hospital with the Militar University of Nueva Granada; and completed his neonatology fellowship at San Rafael Hospital in Bogotá, Colombia. After his education, Dr Hincapie worked for more than twelve years at the Militar Hospital in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, focusing on pediatric and preterm nutrition.

He has completed two postgraduate programs in Pediatric Nutrition at Pontificia Javeriana University and Boston University School of Medicine. During his clinical practice, he also served as a Professor of Pediatrics at Nueva Granada Militar University, teaching both undergraduate and postgraduate students.  Dr Oscar Hincapié joined Abbott in 2019 as a Medical Supervisor in Latin América and currently serves as Medical Director for Latin América.

Mary Kaminski, DNP, APRN, NNP-BC

Manager, Pediatric Education 
Abbott Nutrition Health Institute
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (ret.) 
Columbus, OH, USA

Mary Kaminski, DNP, APRN, NNP-BC, is the Manager for Nursing Health Care Education for Abbott Nutrition Health Institute (ANHI) and a retired Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP). Dr Kaminski received her MS in perinatal nursing from the University of Illinois at Chicago and her doctorate of nursing practice (DNP) from The Ohio State University. She has been working in neonatal nursing for over 40 years. She has worked as a clinical nurse specialist, program manager, and clinical nurse educator. Mary developed the NNP certificate program at the Columbus Children’s Hospital and went on to teach at The Ohio State University for over 12 years in their NNP Program. She has helped over 250 students become NNP’s over her career. Mary has been an active volunteer on the national and local levels for the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN) and the National Association of Neonatal Nurse Practitioners.  She is an accomplished author, having contributed to peer-reviewed journals and textbook chapters. Her interests include NNP education and professional development, Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension (PPHN), and the surgical neonate.

Category
Neonatal Prenatal & Neonatal
References:
  • Meek JY, et al. Pediatrics. 2022;150(1):e2022057988
  • Soyyılmaz B, et al. Nutrients. 2021;13(8):2737
  • Hill DR, et al. Nutrients. 2021;13(10):3364