GOLD Learning Speakers

The American Academy of Pediatrics, along with Healthy People 2020 and the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative has all identified the fascinating benefits associated with breastfeeding for both mother and baby, but there are still some strong barriers to breastfeeding. Research and case studies have associated how child sexual abuse, intimate partner violence and birth trauma suffered by the mother and baby can interfere with breastfeeding. Impact from this type of trauma can intensify during pregnancy and lead to breastfeeding difficulties. Increased medical intervention during labor and delivery has led to an upsurge of birth trauma, which can delay or reduce initial breastfeeding. This presentation identifies how trauma, either endured by mother, baby, or both, can lead to failure to initiate breastfeeding, latch issues, milk supply problems, painful feeds and early cessation of breastfeeding. This presentation will help the provider to detect the subtle signs of trauma.

Epidural use during labor has been increasing over the last several years. Along with the increase in epidural use, we have also seen an increase in cesarean deliveries, breastfeeding issues, and a decrease in breastfeeding duration. Increasing breastfeeding support to women who desire a medicated delivery may help to increase breastfeeding rates overall. This presentation will help the provider to become more aware of the possible negative effects that may prevail when epidural use during labor and delivery is promoted as safe for both mother and baby. Women should have the opportunity to make an informed decision about their medical care. It is the responsibility of providers who are working with new mothers and babies to recognize when breastfeeding is affected by medical intervention and are able to offer proper support.

It’s well known that breastfeeding is the optimal feeding choice for both mothers and babies. Are we supporting new families with what they need to be successful? Research shows that mothers are more successful breastfeeding when they feel supported by peers, family and health care providers, and suggests that poor support may contribute to early cessation of breastfeeding. Conflicting information, feeling as if their concerns are not validated and lack of education are some of the doubts that new mothers have expressed during the postpartum period. This presentation will talk about what support for the new mother looks like, how to best offer this support and what might be considered as detrimental to the breastfeeding mother. We will also look at how different personalities can impact perceptions of breastfeeding support and success.

It is well known that breastfeeding is beneficial to both mother and baby. What happens if breastfeeding is not well established? Researchers are looking closer to postpartum mood disorders and what influence breastfeeding may have in a new mother's psychological well being. Postpartum depression has been linked to low breastfeeding rates, as well as lower duration rates. Postpartum depression falls under the diagnosis of "major depressive disorder with peripartum onset during pregnancy or in the weeks following delivery" (Bascom & Napolitano, 2015). It has been estimated that postpartum mood disorders, strike an estimated 10-20% of new mothers (Bascom & Napolitano, 2015). However, it has been argued that this number reflects only those women who have sought help for their symptoms. The probability that more women are affected by postpartum mood disorders is high. Postpartum mood disorders adversely affect not only the health of the mother, but also the relationship with her partner, interaction with her newborn and infant growth (Yusuff, Tang, Binns, Lee, 2015). There are several predictors that can help determine if a woman is at risk for postpartum mood disorders, including mental health history, social status, and labor and delivery. Researchers have found that when more medical interventions were used during labor, the higher the depressive symptoms for the mother. This presentation will aid personnel working with new families to be aware of the signs and syptoms of postpartum mood disorders and how to preserve the breastfeeding relationship.