Presentation Information

Breastfeeding multiples: Learning the dance of breastfeeding and lactation with two, three or more newborn partners

• Speaker: Karen Kerkhoff Gromada , MSN, RN, IBCLC, FILCA
• Presentation Type:
• Duration: 60 Mins
• Credits: 1 CERP, 1 Nursing CEU, 1 CME, .1 Midwifery CEU

Abstract:

The incidence of multiple births has increased over the last two to three decades, as has the desire of these women to breastfeed their multiples. However, preterm birth and medical interventions often affect breastfeeding initiation and frequent breastfeeding/pumping. Many mothers must establish lactation via milk expression and later transition one or more multiple-birth infants to breastfeeding. The behaviors of a typical breastfeeding dyad have been compared to a dance. With multiple newborns a mother must learn each infant’s unique breastfeeding dance. Is it any wonder that mothers of multiples often need extra support with breastfeeding management. This session will review typical issues affecting breastfeeding initiation with twins, triplets or more, and discuss strategies for assisting the mother as she learns the breastfeeding dance of each unique multiple-birth infant and then adapts each dance as her newborns/infants grow.