This is a recorded course. After purchasing the event you will receive a link in your email for direct access.
This continuing education course focuses on how to effectively address the biomechanics of mother and infant during their nursing relationship. A basic understanding of human lactation and the biomechanics surrounding lactation will add significant value to the care of women and infants during their birthing year. An understanding of lactation is a part of treating the whole person during her postpartum recovery. Practitioners will learn evidence-based information around human lactation, interventions for addressing engorgement disorders and nipple pain, breastfeeding positioning which takes into account both maternal and infant ability and orthopedic impairments, be able to answer simple breastfeeding questions, and identify issues which require referral in order to support the breastfeeding relationship and help mothers to meet their breastfeeding goals.
Objectives:
Discuss the role of physical therapy in improving the breastfeeding relationship and helping moms to meet their breastfeeding goals. Explain human milk production and effects on supply in order to answer basic breastfeeding questions moms may ask.
Describe and implement breastfeeding positional suggestions that protect mom’s orthopedic complaints, decrease pain, and support infant latch.
Identify when to refer mom or baby to lactation professionals and physicians.
Course Schedule:
Supporting Women to Meet Their Breastfeeding Goals: Physical Therapy and Breastfeeding Overview: 20 minutes
Structure and Pressure: Anatomy Review of What Matters: 15 minutes
The Magic: Human Milk Production and Supply: 20 minutes
Know When to Refer: Basic Latch Observation and Sounds: 20 minutes
Relieving Pain and Honoring the Latch: Basic Breastfeeding Positions and Modifications for Orthopedic Complaints: 20 minutes
Skills to Use in Session: Breast Conditions and Basic Physical Therapy Interventions: 20 minutes
Reimbursement is Available: Billing: 5 minutes
Example/Case: 10 minutes
Info about the instructor Dr. Ann Croghan, PT, DPT, CLC:
I graduated from University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus as a Doctor of Physical Therapy. Inspiration to pursue pelvic PT came from a friend. She had severe pelvic pain and a PT helped to guide her to wellness. After the birth of my first child, I became more passionate about working with women during their childbearing years. Women deserve access to evidence-based information about how their bodies work. I created an obstetric physical therapy program in the acute care section of my hospital in order to provide education and healing for common, but not normal, impairments that can impact a mother’s postpartum recovery. What I found was a gap in breastfeeding support after hospital or midwife discharge. There were many questions around lactation that mothers would ask, but I could not answer their questions with evidence-based information. To fill in the gap, I earned my certified lactation counselor (CLC) credentials with the help of the local breastfeeding coalition. I am now committed to bringing this information to other physical therapists in order to improve the care of mothers across the maternal care continuum and help mothers meet their breastfeeding goals.