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  3. Stepwise Approach to Help Baby 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 foundation of successful breastfeeding. When a baby latches well, feeding is comfortable for the mother and effective for the baby. This stepwise approach can guide mothers: Prepare → Attach → Assess.

Step 1: Prepare

Before starting, set yourself and your baby up for success.

  • Wash hands and find a comfortable spot.

  • Relax: Use pillows or cushions for support.

  • Baby readiness: Look for hunger cues (rooting, sucking on hands, lip smacking).

  • Position: Hold baby tummy-to-tummy, nose at nipple level, head and body in a straight line.

Step 2: Attach

This is the moment baby takes the breast.

  • Tickle baby’s lips with your nipple to encourage a wide-open mouth.

  • Bring baby quickly to breast, chin first, not just the mouth.

  • Aim nipple toward the roof of baby’s mouth for deeper latch.

  • Ensure baby takes a big mouthful of breast tissue (areola, not just nipple).

  • Baby’s nose should be free, chin touching breast.

Step 3: Assess

Check that the latch is effective and comfortable.

  • Mother feels: No pain, just a gentle tug. Nipples should not look flattened or pinched after feeding.

  • Baby looks: Lips flanged outward (like a fish), cheeks rounded, no dimpling.

  • Sounds: Rhythmic sucking with swallows (you may hear soft “ka” sounds).

  • Output: Baby looks content after feeds; has wet/dirty diapers according to age.

End of Lecture Quiz

Q1. What is the first step before attempting to latch your baby?
A. Bring the baby to the breast immediately
B. Wash hands, relax, and get comfortable
C. Push baby’s head onto the breast
D. Wait until baby cries loudly

Answer: B. Wash hands, relax, and get comfortable
Rationale: Preparation ensures comfort and reduces stress for both mother and baby.

Q2. For a deep latch, which part of the breast should the baby take in?
A. Just the nipple
B. Most of the areola and nipple
C. Only the bottom lip
D. None of the areola

Answer: B. Most of the areola and nipple
Rationale: A deep latch prevents nipple pain and ensures effective milk transfer.

Q3. Which is a sign of effective latching?
A. Mother feels sharp nipple pain
B. Baby’s cheeks look sunken
C. Audible swallowing and outward-flanged lips
D. Nipples come out flattened after feeding

Answer: C. Audible swallowing and outward-flanged lips
Rationale: Swallowing and proper lip position show that milk is being transferred well.

Curated Online Resources

Key Takeaways

  • Prepare: Get comfortable, calm, and look for baby’s hunger cues.

  • Attach: Wait for wide-open mouth, bring baby chin-first, aim for a deep latch.

  • Assess: Check comfort, effective sucking, swallowing, and diaper output.

Call to Action

  • Mothers: Practice patience and try different positions until latching feels comfortable.

  • Health providers: Demonstrate the latch physically, not just explain it verbally.

  • Communities: Support breastfeeding mothers by giving them time, privacy, and encouragement.

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