GOLD Learning Speakers

The hours immediately following birth represent a vital window for establishing breastfeeding and laying the foundation for long-term infant feeding success. However, routine procedures and practices often disrupt this sensitive period. This presentation will explore the ways in which birth interventions and early clinical practices can interfere with an infant’s ability to initiate feeding effectively—and how healthcare providers can protect this critical time to better support breastfeeding outcomes. We will examine the impact of common interventions—including IV fluids, epidurals, Pitocin, Cesarean birth, and instrumental deliveries—on neonatal feeding readiness, maternal milk production, and structural factors such as cranial and body tension. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how these factors contribute to compensatory feeding behaviours, poor latch, and the misinterpretation of normal challenges, often resulting in unnecessary supplementation. The importance of thorough functional assessments for oral restrictions, including tongue ties, will also be highlighted. In addition, this session will provide practical strategies to protect early feeding, minimize unnecessary interruptions to skin-to-skin contact, and support the first latch—acknowledging the need for assessments and procedures. Emphasis will be placed on enhancing interdisciplinary collaboration and optimizing the early postpartum environment to support breastfeeding success from the very first feed.