Maternal Anatomy & Physiology Online Course(s) & Continuing Education
Access the latest clinical skills and research for Maternal Anatomy & Physiology for Lactation & Breastfeeding professional training. These Maternal Anatomy & Physiology online courses provide practice-changing skills and valuable perspectives from leading global experts. This Maternal Anatomy & Physiology education has been accredited for a variety of CEUs / CERPs and can be accessed on-demand, at your own pace.
What a Letdown: Exploring the Physiology of the Milk Ejection Reflex
Briana Tillman received her undergraduate degree in International Relations from the United States Military Academy at West Point. She has been a La Leche League Leader for 9 years and is a board certified lactation consultant. After spending 10 years as a stay-at-home mom, she is currently in her third year of medical school at Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Parker, Colorado. She loves spending time with her husband and three kids—as a family they like to travel, go camping, and play string instruments in “family ensemble.”
Nick is a 3rd year medical student at Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine. He has a background in mechanical and systems engineering but found his calling in medicine after volunteering for Health4Haiti in 2011. He lives in Colorado with his wife and they enjoy hiking, camping and fishing in the great outdoors.
Topic: What a Letdown: Exploring the Physiology of the Milk Ejection Reflex - [View Abstract]
New mothers experience the milk ejection reflex, or “letdown,” in various ways. While some feel no physical symptoms, others experience a tingling sensation and some even have significant pain or sadness. Babies also have different experiences, from the overactive “drink from the firehose” to frustratingly long waiting at feeding time. This presentation explores the multitude of influences on letdown, from internal hormones and chemical signaling pathways to the research related to such external influences as diet, alcohol, stress, and the use of synthetic oxytocin.
Many moms believe that they either do not produce sufficient milk or need a quicker, more effective letdown. Suggestions to deal with these issues range from drinking beer to adding different nutritional supplements to the diet, from hypnosis to oxytocin nasal spray. We will explore the research and unravel the best practices and recommendations we can give to clients related to their concerns about the milk ejection reflex.
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“I just really wanted to breastfeed” - The Impact of Stress on Birth & Baby Feeding in a UK Multi-Ethnic Community
Sally is an IBCLC in Leicester, UK, and has been supporting families there, particularly families from BME communities, for 15 years. Her interest in multi-culturalism and diversity has grown, from teaching French in a large community college, to her current role leading Leicester Mammas CIC, a city-wide community breastfeeding peer support programme developed and delivered by and for local mothers. She has previously been a La Leche League leader, and was part of the pioneering LLL Peer Counsellor Programme team, under the leadership of Sarah Gill, who brought the LLLPCP from the US to the UK. A core element of her approach to protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding is its role in the wider society: mitigating poverty, health inequalities and social isolation, and creating strong communities of women from all walks of life. She is has recently completed an MA in Integrated Provision for Families in Early Years. Sally is Deputy Chair of LCGB (Lactation Consultants of Great Britain).
Breastfeeding is valued among BME parents in the UK for cultural/religious reasons. BME communities experience high levels of stress associated with socio-economic inequalities and other factors. Women experiencing depression and anxiety may find breastfeeding alleviates or exacerbates their symptoms, dependent on the quality of breastfeeding support received, and success or otherwise in overcoming early challenges.
Little is known however about how stress impacts on infant feeding, or how women who have faced significant stress feel about their experiences around pregnancy, birth and feeding. This study explored the experiences of mothers in a multi-ethnic, inner-city community, and the effectiveness of community breastfeeding peer support in helping overcome stress-related barriers. I also considered the experiences of the previous generation within the same community and how they compared to the current generation. I found that stress factors impacted heavily on breastfeeding outcomes. Peer support is an important factor in helping women achieve their goals, mitigating stress.
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