Breastfeeding Essentials: Overcoming Common Hurdles

Course Description

Learn practical, evidence-based strategies for successful breastfeeding. This course covers the benefits of human milk, common causes of nipple and breast discomfort, how to assess for an adequate milk supply, and effective strategies for managing both low and high milk supply.

Course Objectives:

• Review the importance of human milk and breastfeeding.
• Identify common causes of nipple and breast pain, then suggest modifications to improve maternal comfort.
• Define an adequate breast milk supply based on infants' nutritional needs.
• Review strategies to address under- and over-supplies of breast milk.

Key Takeaways:

• Breast milk provides optimal nutrition for most infants.
• Breastfeeding challenges can prevent families from meeting their lactation goals.
• Education on typical breastfeeding patterns aids in early identification of complications.
• Providing nutrition support to the lactating parent will benefit the breastfeeding dyad.
• Proper positioning enables a comfortable and effective latch.
• Recognition of normal supply variations helps prevent unnecessary treatment.
• Frequent feeding, skin-to-skin contact, lactation support and maternal well-being are key to breastfeeding success.

Related Questions:

• Why is breastfeeding recommended for infants?
  Breastfeeding is recommended because human milk provides optimal nutrition and powerful immune protection that helps reduce an infant’s risk of infections, chronic diseases, and serious conditions such as SIDS, respiratory illnesses, ear infections, and gastrointestinal issues. It also supports healthy growth and development while offering health benefits to the lactating parent, including lower risks of diabetes, hypertension, and several cancers. Together, these benefits make breastfeeding the gold standard for infant feeding for the first months of life.
  
• What breastfeeding challenges most commonly cause early weaning?
  The most common challenges include nipple pain, shallow or ineffective latch, perceptions of low milk supply, breast engorgement, mastitis, pumping issues, and infant oral restrictions. Many of these can be resolved with early assessment, support, and proper positioning.
• What is considered a normal breast milk supply?
  By about two weeks postpartum, most lactating parents produce between 500–1000 mL (16–32 oz) of milk per day. Because appetite and growth vary from baby to baby, normal supply is best defined by the infant’s growth, diaper output, and feeding behavior rather than how full the breasts feel or how much milk can be pumped at one time. Supply also naturally fluctuates throughout the day and across growth spurts.
• What does a good latch look and feel like?
  A deep, effective latch is characterized by the infant being held close with their chin touching the breast, lips flanged outward, and more areola visible above the top lip than below. You should see rhythmic jaw movement and hear quiet swallowing. A good latch should feel like a strong tug rather than sharp pain, and the parent should be able to maintain a comfortable position without leaning forward or straining. Effective positioning is the key to achieving this type of latch.