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  3. Relactation and Increasing Milk Supply Safely
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

Relactation is the process of resuming breastfeeding after stopping or increasing milk production when supply is low. With patience, stimulation, and support, many mothers can successfully relactate — even after weeks or months without breastfeeding.

1. What is Relactation?

  • Restarting or increasing breast milk production after it has declined or stopped.

  • Possible whether baby is weeks or months old.

  • Success depends on frequent stimulation, baby’s willingness to suckle, and support systems.

2. Steps to Relactation

  1. Frequent Breast Stimulation

    • Put baby to breast often (8–12 times a day, including night).

    • Use breast pumps or hand expression if baby isn’t latching well.

  2. Skin-to-Skin Contact

    • Boosts oxytocin and helps trigger milk let-down.

  3. Supplemental Nursing System (SNS)

    • A small tube delivers expressed milk or formula at the breast.

    • Keeps baby satisfied while stimulating the breast.

  4. Gradual Reduction of Formula/Top-ups

    • As supply builds, reduce supplements under guidance.

  5. Galactagogues (Milk-Boosting Aids)

    • Sometimes prescribed: domperidone, metoclopramide (medical supervision required).

    • Herbal options (fenugreek, moringa) — evidence varies, consult provider.

3. General Tips to Increase Milk Supply Safely

  • Feed on demand — avoid rigid schedules.

  • Double pumping (both breasts at once) can stimulate higher prolactin release.

  • Stay hydrated and nourished — no need for special diets, just balanced meals.

  • Avoid risky medications (e.g., estrogen birth control, decongestants).

  • Rest and stress management — chronic stress can interfere with let-down.

4. Support Matters

  • Relactation can feel slow — visible results may take 2–4 weeks.

  • Emotional support from family, community, and health workers is crucial.

  • Professional guidance (lactation consultants, nurses) improves success rates.

End of Lecture Quiz

Q1. What is the most important factor in relactation?
A. Herbal teas
B. Frequent and effective breast stimulation
C. Avoiding all solid food
D. Baby being over 6 months old

Answer: B. Frequent and effective breast stimulation
Rationale: Demand drives supply — regular stimulation is the foundation of relactation.

Q2. Which tool helps deliver supplements while keeping baby at the breast?
A. Pacifier
B. Bottle with nipple shield
C. Supplemental Nursing System (SNS)
D. IV drip

Answer: C. Supplemental Nursing System (SNS)
Rationale: SNS maintains breast stimulation while ensuring baby gets enough milk.

Q3. True or False: Relactation is only possible within the first 2 weeks after stopping breastfeeding.
Answer: False
Rationale: Relactation can succeed weeks or months later with commitment and support.

Curated Online Resources

Key Takeaways

  • Relactation is possible at almost any stage with frequent stimulation and patience.

  • Tools like skin-to-skin, pumping, and SNS help babies return to the breast.

  • Safe use of galactagogues may support supply but must be guided by professionals.

  • Emotional and social support is as vital as medical guidance.

  • Results often take weeks, but even partial relactation has health and bonding benefits.

Call to Action

  • Mothers: Believe in your body — every drop of breast milk counts. Start with small, consistent steps.

  • Health workers: Actively encourage and guide mothers through relactation with empathy.

  • Communities: Reduce stigma, provide rest, nutrition, and encouragement to mothers rebuilding supply.

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