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  3. Establishing Milk Supply in the First Days and Weeks
Course Content
Why Breastfeeding Matters (10 minutes)
Health and developmental benefits for infants Maternal benefits (physical and mental) Economic and community-level advantages Common myths and culturally specific misconceptions
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Health & Developmental Benefits for Infants from Breastfeeding
Maternal Benefits of Breastfeeding (Physical and Mental)
Economic and Community-Level Advantages of Breastfeeding
Common Myths and Culturally Specific Misconceptions about Breastfeeding
Newborn Feeding Cues & Anatomy (20 minutes)
Early vs. late hunger cues and what they mean Normal newborn feeding patterns and stomach capacity Brief breast anatomy (lobes, ducts, nipple, areola) in plain language Signs of effective feeding (swallowing, contentment, diaper output)
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Early vs. Late Hunger Cues in Infants
Normal Newborn Feeding Patterns and Stomach Capacity
Breast Anatomy (in Plain Language)
Signs of Effective Feeding in Breastfed Babies
Positions & Achieving a Good Latch (40 minutes)
Position options: cradle, cross-cradle, football/clutch, side-lying Stepwise approach to help baby latch (prepare — attach — assess) Signs of a good vs. poor latch (comfort, nipple shape, audible swallowing) Small-person adaptations (premature, small mouth, tongue-tie considerations) Safe positioning for mothers with C-section recovery
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Position Options for Breastfeeding
Stepwise Approach to Help Baby Latch
Signs of a Good vs. Poor Latch
Small-Person Adaptations in Breastfeeding
Safe Positioning for Mothers with C-Section Recovery
Protecting & Building Milk Supply (25 minutes)
Establishing supply in the first days and weeks (frequency, skin-to-skin) Night feeds and cluster feeding explained Lifestyle and medical factors that reduce supply (e.g., certain medications, stress) Relactation and increasing milk supply safely Nutrition and hydration myths vs. evidence
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Establishing Milk Supply in the First Days and Weeks
Night Feeds and Cluster Feeding
Lifestyle and Medical Factors That Reduce Supply
Relactation and Increasing Milk Supply Safely
Nutrition and Hydration Myths vs. Evidence in Breastfeeding
Expressing & Storing Breastmilk (20 minutes)
Hand-expression steps and common mistakes Choosing and using pumps (manual vs. electric) — practical tips Safe collection, labeling, storage, thawing and warming guidelines (low-resource options included) Cleaning and hygiene for bottles and storage containers Feeding expressed milk to infant (cup, spoon, paladai, bottle considerations)
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Hand-Expression Steps and Common Mistakes
Choosing and Using Breast Pumps (Manual vs. Electric)
Safe Breast Milk Handling
Cleaning and Hygiene for Bottles and Storage Containers
Feeding Expressed Milk to Infants
Common Problems & Practical Solutions (25 minutes)
Causes of sore nipples and immediate relief techniques Managing engorgement and preventing blocked ducts Recognising mastitis vs. normal engorgement and when antibiotics may be needed Low weight gain: assessment steps and feeding plan adjustments Non-judgmental approach to supplementation and safe short-term options
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Causes of Sore Nipples and Immediate Relief
Managing Engorgement and Preventing Blocked Ducts
Recognising Mastitis vs. Normal Engorgement
Low Weight Gain — Assessment and Feeding Plan Adjustments
Non-Judgmental Approach to Supplementation
Returning to Work or School; Feeding Outside the Home (15 minutes)
Creating an express-and-feed routine (timing, containers, transport) Practical storage and transport tips for different commute types Rights and workplace basics (general guidance; encourage local legal verification) Communicating with caregivers and preparing safe feeder notes Emotional coping and practical fallback plans
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Creating an Express-and-Feed Routine
Practical Storage & Transport Tips for Expressed Breast Milk by Commute Type
Rights and Workplace Basics for Breastfeeding Mothers
Communicating with Caregivers and Preparing Safe Feeder Notes
Emotional Coping and Practical Fallback Plans
Special Situations (20 minutes)
Feeding preterm or low-birthweight infants: kangaroo care, cup or tube feeding basics Managing twins/multiples: tandem feeding tips and time-saving routines Mothers on medication or with infectious illness: how to check drug safety and local guidelines (HIV, TB, etc.) Using donor milk or milk banks (where available) — safety basics
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Feeding Preterm or Low-Birthweight Infants
Managing Twins/Multiples — Tandem Feeding Tips and Time-Saving Routines
Mothers on Medication or with Infectious Illness — Drug Safety & Guidelines
Using Donor Milk or Milk Banks — Safety Basics
When to Seek Help & Building a Support Network (15 minutes)
Red flags for baby and mother (e.g., poor weight gain, fever, severe pain) Where to seek help: clinic, CHW, lactation consultant, emergency care Building a support network: partners, family, peer counsellors, community groups Using telephone/text supports, community groups, and referral pathways
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Red Flags for Baby and Mother
Where to Seek Help for Breastfeeding Challenges
Building a Support Network for Breastfeeding Mothers
Using Telephone/Text Supports, Community Groups, and Referral Pathways
Wrap-up, Resources & Final Assessment (15 minutes)
Key takeaways and common pitfalls to avoid Next steps: seeking local support, advanced training options How to use course materials beyond the course (groups, sharing, peer support) Final 20-question multiple-choice quiz (80% pass mark)
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Key Takeaways and Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Next Steps — Seeking Local Support & Advanced Training Options
How to Use Course Materials Beyond the Course
Final 20-question multiple-choice quiz (80% pass mark)
How to Breastfeed — Self-Paced, Evidence-Based Course for African Moms

Introduction

The first days and weeks after birth are critical for building a strong milk supply. The body makes milk in response to stimulation and removal. The more often breasts are emptied, the more milk the body will produce.

1. Frequency of Feeding

  • Breastfeed early and often: Aim for at least 8–12 feeds in 24 hours.

  • Feed on demand — whenever baby shows hunger cues (lip smacking, rooting, hand-to-mouth movements).

  • Night feeds are important — hormones for milk production peak at night.

  • Avoid strict schedules; let baby set the pace.

2. Skin-to-Skin Contact

  • Place baby directly on your bare chest soon after birth and frequently afterward.

  • Benefits:

    • Stimulates baby’s instinct to latch.

    • Keeps baby warm and calm.

    • Boosts milk-making hormones (oxytocin and prolactin).

3. Avoiding Common Barriers

  • Pacifiers and bottles in the first weeks may interfere with learning to latch.

  • Supplementing with formula unnecessarily can reduce demand for breast milk.

  • Stress and fatigue may slow let-down; rest and support are important.

4. Expressing Milk if Needed

  • If baby cannot latch well (premature, sleepy, or separated), express milk by hand or pump.

  • Aim to express 8 or more times a day, including at night, to mimic baby’s natural feeding.

5. Monitoring Supply

  • Wet/dirty diapers and steady weight gain are the best signs baby is getting enough.

  • Breasts may feel fuller before and softer after feeding — a good sign milk is being removed.

End of Lecture Quiz

Q1. How many feeds per 24 hours should a newborn typically have to build supply?
A. 3–4
B. 6–8
C. 8–12
D. Only when crying

Answer: C. 8–12
Rationale: Frequent feeds stimulate milk production and prevent engorgement.

Q2. Why is skin-to-skin contact important in the early days?
A. Keeps baby quiet so mother can rest
B. Stimulates milk-making hormones and helps baby latch
C. Replaces the need for frequent feeding
D. Helps baby sleep longer without feeds

Answer: B. Stimulates milk-making hormones and helps baby latch
Rationale: Skin-to-skin boosts oxytocin and prolactin, essential for milk supply.

Q3. True or False: Formula top-ups in the early weeks should be given to all babies to help them grow faster.
Answer: False
Rationale: Unnecessary formula reduces demand for breast milk and can interfere with supply.

Curated Online Resources

Key Takeaways

  • Milk supply depends on early, frequent feeding and breast stimulation.

  • Aim for 8–12 feeds per day, including at night.

  • Skin-to-skin is powerful for both milk production and bonding.

  • Avoid unnecessary formula or pacifiers in the early weeks.

  • Express milk if baby cannot feed directly.

Call to Action

  • Mothers: Trust your body — feed often, hold your baby skin-to-skin, and seek help early if supply concerns arise.

  • Health workers: Encourage early initiation and rooming-in to support supply.

  • Communities: Provide rest, nourishment, and emotional support for new mothers.

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