Module 9 Talking with Mothers about Breastfeeding

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(No Transcript)
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Learning Objectives

• Normal growth for the breastfed baby.
• Strategies for a mother who is returning to work
  or school.
• When to introduce solids.
• Maintaining a healthy milk supply.

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What is Typical Weight?

• Weight gain of around 6 ounces a week
• Babies typically double birth weight by four to
  six months
• Babies are all different in how they grow
• Growth charts help track babys individual
  growth curve

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Appetite Spurts

• Occur around two to three weeks
• Baby wants to eat more often
• The mother often interprets this as meaning her
  milk is going away and supplements with formula
• Suggest mothers keep baby at the breast as much
  as possible
• Typical periods for appetite spurts
• Six weeks
• Three months
• Six months

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Maintaining a Healthy Milk Supply

• Chief concern throughout first six months
• Getting off to a slow start may impact milk
  supply later
• Mothers perception of low milk supply is just as
  important as a real low milk supply
• Peer counselors can give mothers confidence
• Baby is doing well if gaining weight
• Baby has four to six wet diapers per 24 hours
• Baby is fed when he or she seems hungry
• If the mother will be separated from her baby,
  she will need help in removing her milk

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Causes of Low Milk Supply

• Replacing feedings with formula
• Introducing solids early
• Limiting babys time at the breast
• Delaying feedings
• Illness in baby or mother
• Mother returned to work/school
• Birth control pills

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Birth Control

• Barriers methods are considered safe for
  breastfeeding
• Progestin-only methods can affect milk supply if
  given before six weeks
• Estrogen-containing birth control methods can
  affect milk supply
• Yield mother with questions about birth control

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Dealing with Low Milk Supply

• Check babys position and latch
• Increase feedings
• Dont limit babys time at the breast
• Use breast massage with moist heat before
  feedings
• Use breast compression
• Spend lots of time with the baby

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Breastfeeding and Returning to Work or School
Is It Worth the Effort?

• Many mothers wean during this time
• Many mothers do not know how to combine
  breastfeeding and working
• Support mothers wishes to breastfeed as long as
  she is able

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What About Solid Foods?

• Advice many mothers get may be based on someones
  personal experience rather than scientific
  evidence
• AAP recommends waiting until around six months
• Babys digestive system not ready
• Early solids leads to allergies and choking
• Replaces a superior food with an inferior food
• Introduces food-borne illnesses to baby
• Know signs baby is ready for solid foods

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Ill Breastfeed Until my Baby has Teeth

• Babies can continue to breastfeed with teeth
• If correctly latched, the nipple tissue is
  protected from teeth
• There are ways to deal with babies who teethe
  at the breast

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Getting Back to Normal

• I want to start exercising again
• My husband is worried about us resuming sex
• When can I start eating my favorite foods
• I want to get away without the baby

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Practicing 3-Step Counseling Skills

• 3-Step Principles
• Ask open-ended questions
• Affirm
• Educate

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When to Contact Mothers

• Monthly contacts
• More frequent calls if she has milk supply
  issuesshe is at high risk for weaning
• If returning to work, contact her two weeks
  before returning to work and a few days after
  she returns to work

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Opening the Conversation with Mothers

• What are your plans for working or going to
  school?
• How do you feel about your milk supply?
• How is your baby growing and developing?
• What does your baby currently eat?
• What do people tell you about when to start
  solid foods?
• How does your partner feel about breastfeeding
  now that things are well established?

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• I have invaluable memories and love
• working with WIC families. It is good to
• see the moms come back to the clinic and look for
• me, even months later, because they are so
• thankful for the assistance I was able to give
  them.
• It is almost like having an extended family
  member
• giving information and support to assure a
  healthy
• baby and mother.
• WIC Peer Counselor