Emergency Help! +254 725 258 821
user
Login
Join Now
Advanced
Search
  1. Home
  2. Lessons
  3. Feeding Preterm or Low-Birthweight Infants
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
0/4
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)
0/4
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
0/5
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
0/5
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)
0/5
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
0/5
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
0/5
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
0/4
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
0/4
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)
0/4
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

1. Introduction

Preterm (born before 37 weeks) or low-birthweight infants (<2.5 kg) have higher risks of feeding difficulties, infections, and poor growth. Special feeding methods ensure they receive breast milk safely while supporting bonding and development.

2. Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC)

  • Definition: Skin-to-skin contact where baby is held upright against mother’s (or father’s) bare chest, covered with cloth.

  • Benefits:

    • Keeps baby warm (like an incubator).

    • Encourages breastfeeding and milk supply.

    • Reduces infection risk.

    • Improves bonding and infant survival.

  • How to practice:

    • Place diapered baby chest-to-chest, head turned to the side.

    • Cover with cloth or blanket to secure.

    • Maintain for hours daily, even while resting or sleeping (with support).

3. Feeding Challenges in Preterm/Low-Birthweight Infants

  • Weak suck, swallow, or breathe coordination.

  • Sleepiness or low energy to feed.

  • Risk of aspiration (milk entering airway).

  • Small stomach capacity.

4. Cup Feeding Basics

  • When to use: Baby is not strong enough to breastfeed but can swallow safely.

  • Method:

    1. Wash hands, use clean small cup.

    2. Fill cup with expressed breast milk.

    3. Hold baby upright, support head/neck.

    4. Rest cup on baby’s lower lip; tip gently until milk just touches lip.

    5. Let baby lap or sip milk at own pace — do not pour.

  • Advantages:

    • Safer than bottle (reduces nipple confusion).

    • Easy to clean in low-resource settings.

    • Supports transition to breastfeeding.

5. Tube Feeding Basics (for hospital/clinical use)

  • When to use: Very weak or sick infants unable to swallow safely.

  • Method:

    • Nasogastric (NG) tube placed by trained health worker.

    • Expressed breast milk flows directly into baby’s stomach.

  • Notes:

    • Requires strict hygiene and skilled monitoring.

    • Gradual transition to cup or breast as baby grows stronger.

6. Supporting Mothers of Preterm Infants

  • Encourage frequent hand expression to build milk supply.

  • Promote skin-to-skin even during tube feeding.

  • Offer emotional support — parents may feel anxious or guilty.

  • Educate caregivers on safe milk handling for fragile infants.

End of Lecture Quiz

Q1. What is the main purpose of kangaroo care?
A. Entertainment
B. Keeping baby warm and supporting feeding
C. Replacing incubators permanently
D. Training the baby to sit upright

Answer: B. Keeping baby warm and supporting feeding
Rationale: KMC provides warmth, bonding, and breastfeeding support, improving survival.

Q2. True or False: During cup feeding, milk should be poured directly into the baby’s mouth.
Answer: False
Rationale: The baby should lap or sip milk; pouring risks choking or aspiration.

Q3. Which method is safest for infants too weak to swallow?
A. Cup feeding
B. Breastfeeding
C. Tube feeding
D. Bottle feeding

Answer: C. Tube feeding
Rationale: Tube feeding bypasses swallowing, preventing aspiration until baby gains strength.

Curated Resources

Key Takeaways

  • Preterm and low-birthweight babies need special feeding support.

  • Kangaroo care improves warmth, survival, and bonding.

  • Cup feeding is safe, practical, and low-cost when breastfeeding isn’t possible.

  • Tube feeding should only be done in health facilities by trained staff.

  • Supporting mothers emotionally and practically is as important as technical care.

Call to Action

  • Mothers & Families: Practice kangaroo care daily — it’s free and lifesaving.

  • Health Workers: Teach cup feeding skills and provide ongoing lactation support.

  • Communities: Reduce stigma and support parents of preterm babies with emotional and practical help.

Previous
Next
Ushauri Mama - Your MNCH Guide