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  3. Signs of a Good vs. Poor Latch
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

A good latch is the heart of successful breastfeeding. It prevents pain for the mother and ensures the baby gets enough milk. Poor latch = discomfort, sore nipples, and an unsatisfied baby. Mothers and health workers should learn how to recognize the difference.

1. Signs of a Good Latch

✅ Comfort for Mother

  • Feels a tugging sensation, not sharp pain.

  • No cracked or bleeding nipples.

✅ Nipple Shape After Feeding

  • Stays round and normal looking.

  • Not flattened, pinched, or lipstick-shaped.

✅ Baby’s Position and Mouth

  • Lips turned outward (“fish lips”).

  • Chin touching breast, nose free.

  • Cheeks full and rounded (not dimpled).

✅ Audible Swallowing

  • Rhythmic suck-swallow-breathe pattern.

  • Soft swallowing sounds (like “ka” or “cah”).

✅ Baby’s Behavior

  • Relaxed, content after feeding.

  • Steady weight gain over time.

  • Produces wet and dirty diapers according to age.

2. Signs of a Poor Latch

❌ Pain for Mother

  • Nipple pain, burning, or pinching during feeds.

  • Damaged nipples (cracks, bleeding, blisters).

❌ Nipple Shape After Feeding

  • Comes out flattened, pinched, or angled.

❌ Baby’s Position and Mouth

  • Lips tucked inward instead of outward.

  • Nose pressed into the breast, not free.

  • Cheeks sucked in or dimpling with each suck.

❌ Noisy Feeding

  • Clicking, smacking, or gulping sounds.

  • Little or no audible swallowing.

❌ Baby’s Behavior

  • Frustrated, pulling off frequently.

  • Feeds for very long but remains unsatisfied.

  • Poor weight gain and fewer wet/dirty diapers.

End of Lecture Quiz

Q1. Which of the following is a clear sign of a good latch?
A. Clicking sounds during feeding
B. Cheeks look rounded and full
C. Nipple comes out flattened
D. Baby constantly pulls away

Answer: B. Cheeks look rounded and full
Rationale: Rounded cheeks show baby is drawing milk effectively without sucking in air.

Q2. If a mother’s nipple looks like a lipstick shape after a feed, what does it mean?
A. Baby had a deep, good latch
B. Baby was sucking only the nipple (poor latch)
C. Mother has oversupply of milk
D. Baby is teething

Answer: B. Baby was sucking only the nipple (poor latch)
Rationale: Flattened or lipstick-shaped nipples indicate shallow attachment.

Q3. Which sound is most reassuring that baby is drinking milk?
A. Clicking
B. Loud gulping
C. Soft, rhythmic swallowing
D. Silence throughout

Answer: C. Soft, rhythmic swallowing
Rationale: Swallowing sounds mean milk transfer is happening successfully.

Curated Online Resources

Key Takeaways

  • Good latch: Comfortable, rounded nipple shape, outward lips, audible swallowing, content baby.

  • Poor latch: Painful, damaged nipples, flattened nipple, noisy clicking, frustrated baby.

  • A good latch = happy mother + well-fed baby.

Call to Action

  • Mothers: If breastfeeding hurts beyond the first few sucks, seek help — pain is not normal.

  • Health workers: Always observe a feed before giving advice.

  • Communities: Encourage mothers to ask for support early before small latch problems become big issues.

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