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
COVID-19. Breastfeeding Information and Research Team, Australian Breastfeeding Association
COVID-19 is a corona virus, with much still to be learned about its transmission. Breastfeeding and breastmilk are well-known to be protective against a wide range of viruses1 and health professionals can confidently reassure breastfeeding mothers that they can continue to breastfeed.
Positioning and Attachment
In the early weeks, it is common for breastfeeding women to experience some nipple pain that ceases after the initial attachment. Severe nipple pain, pain that continues beyond the initial attachment or any signs of nipple damage all require investigation. Nipple pain is a commonly reported reason for early breastfeeding cessation. The most common cause of nipple pain is suboptimal positioning and attachment. Hence, supporting women to establish good positioning and attachment is important to help women reach their breastfeeding goals.
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).
