Forming Comprehensive Conversations for Common Breastfeeding Challenges Lecture Pack

Cow’s milk protein allergy is one of the most common food allergies in young children, diagnosed in 1/200 breastfed infants. Both underdiagnosis and overdiagnosis can have negative implications for mother and child, underlining the importance of a timely and correct diagnosis. An adequate management of a cow’s milk protein allergy should not only focus on the correct elimination of cow’s milk proteins, but also on practical advice on adaption of family meals and nutritional adequacy for the breastfeeding mother and infant. Research shows that 85% of children develop tolerance to cow’s milk proteins, on average between the age of one and three years old. This presentation will include when and how reintroduction with cow’s milk should occur to determine acquisition of tolerance in the breastfed infant. Finally, we will discuss whether the development of a cow’s milk protein allergy can be prevented and which factors raise the risk of developing a cow’s milk protein allergy.

In this talk Anna Le Grange explores the causes of anxiety in parents, reasons why babies might exhibit unsettled behavior, and the links between parents with anxiety and unsettled babies. Drawing on recent studies, she shares the latest insights on the correlation between anxiety, infant fussiness and breastfeeding outcomes. Next Anna will describe the autonomic nervous system in parents and babies and how anxiety and infant fussiness may impact both members of the dyad. In the second half of this talk Anna discusses the practical steps that lactation supporters can take when working with babies and their parents to encourage a more calm and connected feeding experience.

Skilled support for weaning from the breast is often overlooked. Most policies and programs focus on initiation of breastfeeding, the continuation of lactation and support for overcoming challenges. In practice it can be harder for families to find information, support, and guidance to wean, whatever stage of their breastfeeding journey. Often it is perceived that support for breastfeeding is all about continuing. Like breastfeeding, weaning has socio-cultural, biological, immunological, physiological and anthropological considerations, and affects the physical and mental health of both mother and child. This talk will explore the many considerations, and complex interplay between multiple factors, that the infant feeding support workforce need to understand to meet the support needs of families. We will explore: the child’s developmental readiness, emotional, immunological, and nutritional needs, and what the milk and relationship mean to them. We will also look at the impact on the mother: what we know about how the pace of weaning may impact the lactating parent’s breast health and wellbeing and how to meet the evolving needs of their baby. And finally, we look at the dyad collectively. Supporting a positive ending to breastfeeding is an essential part of the skills and knowledge of lactation professionals.

Weighing of babies dates back to ancient Egypt times, but scales and measurement of babies became more widely used in the 18th and 19th century. Fast forward to the 21st century and the use of the neonatal scale has taken on a life of its own in developed countries. Many families of healthy, low risk newborns own a scale at home; it might even be built into their changing table. IBCLCs, pediatricians, and family medicine doctors also have access to infant scales for clinical use. How has the use of scales changed lactation support and parents’ perceptions about lactation progress? Are there ways to refocus on the basics of lactation and infant care without over-reliance on the infant scale as a tool?
In this presentation we will examine the practical, technical and proper use of infant scales for the clinician. We will discuss the appropriate timing of scale use as well as describing times at which scale use might be detrimental to the dyad. We will look at common pitfalls with scale usage and how best to avoid or navigate them with a family. We will cover ways to educate and empower parents with tools for evaluating their child’s well-being throughout the lactation journey without the use of an infant scale.

The objectives of this lecture are to understand the definition, pathophysiology, and basic management of hyperlactation. Topics discussed with include proposed mechanisms leading to hyperlactation, health effects on mother and baby, and approach to diagnosis and management. Participants will learn key history and physical findings for hyperlactation, behavioral interventions to reduce milk supply, herbal and medical interventions to reduce milk supply, and will learn how to determine which dyads would benefit from medical intervention.

New parents often have questions and concerns about infant sleep, and the changes and challenges that go along with it. It is important to meet families where they are at the intersection between infant feeding, lactation, sleep, and family well-being. As lactation professionals, we can support them in gaining greater understanding of what to expect for infant sleep, as well as how to navigate challenges that may arise while working toward their lactation goals.

This presentation provides evidence-based information about common topics related to lactation and infant sleep. Participants will leave with an understanding of the key steps for how to integrate the management of infant sleep challenges into a lactation care plan. This includes 1.) a process for obtaining information about current sleep, and the variety of factors that may be impacting infant and parental sleep; 2.) elements to consider as a lactation care plan is created; and 3.) how to provide evidence-based information and resources in a compassionate manner that will allow informed decision-making about next steps toward their lactation and sleep goals. Incorporating this process into one’s practice will lead to more comprehensive care plans that take into account the realities and needs of the each family.