Breastfeeding Resources for Health Professionals
Documents & promotional materials
Videos
Breastfeeding Basics
Breastfeeding: Getting started (0:06)
Chapter 1: Starting out (0:32)
Chapter 2: Getting closer (1:55)
Chapter 3: What to expect (3:55)
Chapter 4: Feeding cues (5:04)
Chapter 5: Making feeding comfortable for you and baby (6:03)
Baby-led attachment (6:52)
Mother-led attachment (7:39)
Chapter 6: How do I know if baby is getting enough? (10:58)
Hand expressing (12:02)
Reverse pressure softening (12:13)
Chapter 7: Help and encouragement (12:30)
Articles
Blocked Ducts and Mastitis
Blocked ducts and/or mastitis are common problems experienced by breastfeeding mothers. While blocked ducts and mastitis are distinct entities, the boundaries between them are often blurred. Mastitis often occurs following milk stasis from a blocked duct when milk leaks out from the ducts into surrounding tissue. This does not always signify infection, although the presenting symptoms are frequently similar.
Introducing Solids
‘Introducing solids’ describes when an infant goes from being fed only milk to gradually becoming used to a variety of family foods.
Lactation after infant death. Australian Breastfeeding Association
More than 4000 Australian women experience late miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal or older infant death annually.1 The physiological process of secretory activation leading to the onset of breastmilk production is triggered by delivery of the placenta2 and occurs even in the absence of a living infant. Unfortunately many women feel unsupported by their healthcare team when it comes to lactation after infant death.
What breastfeeding education (if any) are undergraduate health students receiving? Mindy Booker, student dietitian (Honours) (QUT)
Inaccurate and inconsistent advice from health professionals is commonly reported by women as a barrier on their breastfeeding journey (Clifford & McIntyre, 2004; Department of Health, 2018). A number of studies have identified that a wide range of health professionals, including general practitioners, nurses, pharmacists and dietitians have low levels of breastfeeding knowledge and skills, and clinicians report that they do not feel confident supporting breastfeeding women (Yang et al, 2019; Bagwell et al 1993; Fei Sim et al, 2018; Ryan & Smith, 2017; Taveras et al, 2004).
Using domperidone to treat low breast milk supply. Luke Grzeskowiak PhD, BPharm(Hons), GCertClinEpid, AdvPracPharm, FSHP The Robinson Research Institute, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide
The importance of breastfeeding for maternal and child health [...]
Colostrum. Dr Alison Stacey, MBBS (Hons) BMedSci DCH DRANZCOG FRACGP Cert IV Breastfeeding Education IBCLC Dip Breastfeeding Management
Colostrum plays a unique role in the transition of the baby to extra-uterine life. It differs from mature breastmilk in a number of ways. Colostrum is a concentrated source of protein, sodium and immunoglobulins (Brodribb 2019). Lower carbohydrate (lactose) levels result in lower volumes; whereas in mature breastmilk, lactose acts osmotically to draw water into the milk (Brodribb 2019). Colostrum also has a laxative effect, helping baby to pass meconium (Brodribb 2019). Secretory IgA, lactoferrin and maternal lymphocytes provide a source of passive immunity to complement that provided via the placenta (Wambach 2016). Human milk oligosaccharides promote the colonisation of baby’s intestinal system with bifidobacteria and act as decoys to prevent infection by pathogens (Wambach 2016).
