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  3. Practical Storage & Transport Tips for Expressed Breast Milk by Commute Type
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

1. Short Commute (≤30 minutes)

  • Storage:

    • Freshly expressed milk in clean, tightly sealed container.

    • No cooler bag needed if going directly home/daycare.

  • Tips:

    • Keep milk in shaded bag (avoid direct sun/heat).

    • Place in fridge immediately upon arrival.

2. Moderate Commute (30–90 minutes)

  • Storage:

    • Insulated cooler bag with 2–3 frozen ice packs.

    • Keep containers upright and tightly sealed.

  • Tips:

    • Use breast milk storage bags to save space.

    • Freeze one small water bottle solid — acts as extra ice block.

    • Place milk in the center of cooler bag, surrounded by ice packs.

3. Long Commute (2–4 hours)

  • Storage:

    • Large insulated cooler or small portable fridge.

    • Multiple frozen gel/ice packs, rotated daily.

  • Tips:

    • Avoid frequently opening the cooler.

    • Pre-chill milk in refrigerator before packing.

    • Keep cooler out of sunlight and heat (e.g., don’t leave in car).

4. Very Long Commute or Remote Areas (4+ hours, rural travel)

  • Storage:

    • Cooler with solid frozen ice packs; wrap in cloth to slow melting.

    • In very hot climates, freeze milk before travel if possible.

  • Tips (low-resource):

    • Use clay pot cooling method (“zeer pot”): place milk container inside a clay pot with wet sand/cloth around it to keep it cool by evaporation.

    • Always cover and seal containers to prevent contamination.

    • If power is available, small battery/solar-powered travel fridges are an option.

5. Public Transport (bus/matatu/train)

  • Storage:

    • Soft cooler bag or lunchbox-sized insulated bag with frozen gel packs.

  • Tips:

    • Keep milk upright in a zip-lock to prevent spills.

    • Carry lightweight ice packs — frozen water in sealed bags works if commercial packs are not available.

    • Store away from crowded/dirty areas.

6. Air Travel

  • Storage:

    • Many airlines allow expressed milk in carry-on (check airline rules).

    • Use insulated cooler bag with gel packs (TSA/airport security permits frozen packs if solid).

  • Tips:

    • Declare milk at security check.

    • Label containers clearly.

    • On long flights: ask flight attendants to refrigerate or provide extra ice.

Practical Do’s and Don’ts

✅ Always pre-chill milk if possible before travel.
✅ Use tightly sealed, food-grade containers.
✅ Label clearly with date and time.
✅ Keep cooler bags out of direct sun.
❌ Do not mix warm freshly pumped milk with chilled milk in the same container.
❌ Do not store milk in the car trunk (heat exposure).

End of Lecture Quiz

Q1. Which cooling method can rural mothers without refrigerators use to preserve expressed milk?
A. Open air drying
B. Clay pot cooling (zeer pot)
C. Wrapping in plastic only
D. Leaving in shade

Answer: B. Clay pot cooling (zeer pot)
Rationale: Evaporative cooling reduces temperature, extending milk safety.

Q2. What is the safest way to carry milk on public transport for 2 hours?
A. Plastic bag without cooling
B. Cooler bag with frozen ice packs
C. Mixing freshly expressed milk with chilled milk
D. Leaving it in a bottle exposed to air

Answer: B. Cooler bag with frozen ice packs
Rationale: Keeps milk below safe temperatures until refrigerated.

Curated Resources

Key Takeaways

  • Commute length and environment determine storage strategy.

  • Cooler bags with ice packs are essential for >30 min travel.

  • Rural/low-resource settings can use evaporative cooling (clay pot method).

  • Safe handling and labeling protect both milk quality and baby’s health.

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