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  3. Safe Positioning for Mothers with C-Section Recovery
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

After a cesarean birth, mothers often have abdominal pain, stitches, and limited mobility. The right breastfeeding positions can protect the incision site, reduce discomfort, and still help the baby latch effectively.

1. Football/Clutch Hold

  • How: Baby is tucked under your arm, legs pointing behind you, supported on pillows.

  • Why helpful: Keeps all weight off the abdomen and incision site.

  • Tip: Place a firm pillow beside you for baby’s body to rest on.

2. Side-Lying Position

  • How: Lie on your side with baby also on their side, tummy-to-tummy.

  • Why helpful: No pressure on belly; good for resting while feeding.

  • Tip: Place pillows behind your back for support; keep baby’s nose and mouth clear.

3. Upright/Laid-Back Hold with Support

  • How: Mother reclines slightly, baby placed on chest or shoulder and allowed to self-latch.

  • Why helpful: Gravity helps baby latch; incision area is protected.

  • Tip: Use pillows or a nursing cushion to raise baby to breast height instead of bending forward.

4. Modified Cradle with Pillow Barrier

  • How: Baby lies across your front, but with a nursing pillow or rolled blanket placed over your incision area.

  • Why helpful: Allows mother to use a familiar position without baby pressing on wound.

  • Tip: Check comfort before long feeds; avoid if baby’s weight causes discomfort.

5. General Comfort Tips

  • Take pain relief as prescribed before long feeding sessions.

  • Use pillows, rolled blankets, or a nursing wedge to support baby and protect your abdomen.

  • Try different positions until one feels comfortable and sustainable.

  • Ask for help lifting or positioning the baby in the early days.

End of Lecture Quiz

Q1. Which position is most commonly recommended for mothers after a C-section?
A. Cradle hold
B. Football/Clutch hold
C. Over-the-shoulder hold
D. Standing upright hold

Answer: B. Football/Clutch hold
Rationale: This position avoids pressure on the incision area and gives mother better head control.

Q2. Why is the side-lying position beneficial after C-section?
A. It helps mother feed twins easily
B. It requires strong abdominal muscles
C. It removes pressure from the abdomen while feeding
D. It shortens the feeding duration

Answer: C. It removes pressure from the abdomen while feeding
Rationale: Side-lying lets mother rest and prevents discomfort from incision pressure.

Q3. True or False: Mothers should always bend forward to bring the breast to the baby after C-section.
Answer: False
Rationale: Mothers should bring the baby to the breast, using pillows and support, to avoid abdominal strain.

Curated Online Resources

Key Takeaways

  • Football hold and side-lying are the most incision-friendly positions.

  • Pillows and cushions are essential tools to protect the abdomen.

  • Mothers should never strain or bend forward; always bring the baby to the breast.

  • Pain management and support from family/health workers make recovery easier.

Call to Action

  • Mothers: Try different safe positions and ask for help when needed. Comfort = successful breastfeeding.

  • Health providers: Demonstrate incision-safe positions before discharge.

  • Communities: Offer emotional and physical support so C-section mothers can breastfeed confidently.

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