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  3. Using Telephone/Text Supports, Community Groups, and Referral Pathways
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. Introduction

Breastfeeding mothers may feel isolated, especially at night or in rural settings. Having accessible, reliable support systems — from phone/text hotlines to community groups and formal referral pathways — ensures timely help and confidence in breastfeeding.

2. Telephone and Text Supports

  • What they are: Toll-free hotlines, SMS platforms, WhatsApp groups, or telehealth services.

  • Benefits:

    • Immediate reassurance (e.g., about latch pain, baby crying, feeding frequency).

    • Anonymous, safe space for mothers who fear judgment.

    • Reduces unnecessary clinic visits for minor concerns.

  • Examples:

    • National breastfeeding or maternal-child health hotlines (many African countries run them through Ministries of Health).

    • NGO hotlines like La Leche League peer support lines.

3. Community Groups

  • What they are: Peer mother-to-mother clubs, church or mosque women’s fellowships, market women associations, youth/women groups.

  • Benefits:

    • Normalize breastfeeding practices.

    • Offer emotional and practical support (e.g., childcare help, food prep).

    • Spread correct information to counter myths.

  • Special role: In areas without internet/phone access, community groups are the primary support network.

4. Referral Pathways

  • What they are: Structured routes to higher levels of care when issues are beyond community support.

  • Examples:

    • Step 1: Peer counsellor / CHW → Step 2: Local clinic nurse → Step 3: Hospital doctor/lactation consultant.

  • Why important: Prevents delays in care, ensures mothers know “who to call” or “where to go” when red flags appear.

  • Key message: Mothers should never feel “stuck” — there’s always a clear next step.

End of Lecture Quiz

Q1. Which support option is best when a mother needs immediate reassurance at night?
A. Hospital visit only
B. Telephone/text hotline
C. Waiting until the next community meeting
D. Ignoring the problem

Answer: B. Telephone/text hotline
Rationale: Provides immediate access to trusted information without delay.

Q2. True or False: Referral pathways ensure mothers always know where to go next if problems are not resolved at the first point of care.
Answer: True
Rationale: Structured referrals prevent dangerous delays.

Q3. Name one key role of community groups in breastfeeding support.
Answer: Normalizing breastfeeding / Countering myths / Providing emotional encouragement.
Rationale: They create safe spaces that strengthen mother’s confidence.

Curated Online Resources

Key Takeaways

  • Telephone/text hotlines: Offer immediate, low-cost, and private support.

  • Community groups: Provide in-person encouragement, normalize breastfeeding, and build solidarity.

  • Referral pathways: Ensure smooth transfer from community to clinic to hospital when needed.

Call to Action

  • Mothers: Save hotline numbers and join local mother-to-mother groups early.

  • Health workers: Share clear referral steps with mothers before discharge.

  • Communities/Leaders: Support accessible helplines and strengthen referral systems to reduce preventable complications.

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