Navigating Lactation Education and Support in the Clinic Setting

Description

The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative stresses the importance of prenatal lactation education for all patients with an emphasis on the role of support immediately during post-delivery on chest/breastfeeding initiation. The duration of lactation is increased when all patients receive ongoing education and support, including support when struggling with common concerns.

This six-hour course will prepare the learner to provide prenatal lactation education and support. The learner will be equipped with tools to assist the chest/breastfeeding family on their feeding journey with their new infant. The learner will also be provided with information to assist a parent working through common concerns, such as engorgement, sore nipples, and milk supply.

Topics covered in this training include:

• benefits and contraindications
• positioning and latch-on
• assessment that infant is receiving adequate nutrition to ensure optimal growth
• support for common concerns (engorgement, sore nipples, plugged ducts, mastitis, yeast, milk supply, and supplementation)

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Funding for this training is provided through the Region 1 WIC LATCH (Lactation Area Training Center for Health). The goal of the three North Carolina WIC LATCH Centers is to enhance the statewide infrastructure between local WIC agencies and lactation support and healthcare providers who serve the WIC population to improve the continuity of care through the implementation of coordinated services by developing formal referral systems. The Regional WIC LATCH Centers will help assure that public health agency staff funded by the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and other health professionals serving the WIC eligible population have routine and ready access to accurate, standardized, evidence-informed lactation management training, support services and continuing education.

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Target Audience

Healthcare professionals (Nutritionists, Nurses, Social Workers, Clinicians, CMAs, CNAs and Doulas) working in health departments and healthcare clinics

Objectives

• Identify the effect of personal beliefs and attitudes on chest/breastfeeding
• Discuss the benefits of chest/breastfeeding
• Address perceived and absolute contraindications to chest/breastfeeding
• Guide a patient through the infant feeding decision-making process
• Assist a client with positioning and latch-on
• Describe responsive infant feeding and the importance of feeding cues
• Assess the effectiveness of chest/breastfeeding and know when to refer for further assistance
• Address the common reasons that a patient is experiencing chest/breast pain
• Identify solutions for chest/breast pain
• Explain the importance of establishing and maintaining milk supply
• Identify factors that might impact milk supply and necessitate supplementation

Faculty

• Georganna Cogburn, MS, RD, LDN, IBCLC, RLC
• Sonja Emerson, MSN, MPH, RN, IBCLC
• Brandi A. Harrison, BS, IBCLC
• Evan Richardson, RN, CNM, MSN