Curriculum Topic: Teaching Strategy
Activity Type: Healthy Birth Practice 6, Breastfeeding
Supplies: Variety throughout class series
Instructions:
Class 1 – When talking about the physical changes which occur with pregnancy and which help prepare the body for birth, discuss the ways that the breasts change to prepare for nursing. Mention the importance of a supportive partner to breastfeeding success.
Class 2 – When discussing nutrition, mention that a healthy diet is recommended for nursing mothers, but that even for mothers with “junk-food” diets, breastfeeding is highly recommended. Discuss briefly the weight-loss benefits of extended breastfeeding.
Class 3 – Try the Breastfeeding Grab Bag as an icebreaker (a separate activity within the Activity Database) to discuss the hazards of infant formula.
Class 4 – Discuss the importance of skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth, keeping mother and baby together, and rooming-in, in order to get breastfeeding off to a good start. Swedish researcher Ann Marie Widstrom recommends that the newborn baby be placed on his mother’s chest immediately after birth and allowed to move through the nine instinctive phases at his own pace in order to get breastfeeding off to the best possible start.
Class 5 – When discussing interventions and medications, mention possible effects on early breastfeeding. Emphasize that breastfeeding is easier for cesarean mothers than artificial feeding.
Class 6 – Show a video of breastfeeding images.
Reference: Adapted from the Lamaze Toolkit
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