Breast Feeding Lesson Plans, Coursework Example

Topic #1: Risks of Not Breastfeeding

Objectives: By the end of the session, the student will be able to list: 1) list three risks of not breastfeeding for man; 2) list three risks of not breastfeeding for baby; 3) list two risks of not breastfeeding for partner; and 4) list one risk of not breastfeeding for society.

Rationale: When a client understands and recognizes the risks of not breastfeeding under the aforementioned conditions, they are likely to be motivated and to make the choice to breastfeed because of its benefits to man, baby, partner, and society.

Learning Strategies/Teacher/Learner Activities: For this lesson plan, the instructor will engage clients in a discussion regarding the potential risks and dangers of not breastfeeding and will provide inquire regarding the reasons why clients might not want to breastfeed their children. Prior to the discussion, the teacher will give each student a few minutes to jot down personal perceptions of breastfeeding and why they might believe that this option is not the best alternative for their children. After the idea generation stage is completed,, the teacher will engage students and ask them to share some of their perceptions of breastfeeding with other class members and share why this option is not their preferred method of feeding for children. It is anticipated that this discussion will spark client discussion to the level that it will clarify any misconceptions regarding the impact of breastfeeding on child nutrition. As clients introduce new concepts, the teacher will write them down in order to inspire further discussion among the group’s members.

Materials Needed: For this lesson plan, a white board with at least one dry erase marker to record information as provided by clients regarding the topic in question. The teacher will also ask students to write down any ideas regarding their perceptions of breastfeeding prior to the open discussion using paper and pens.

Topic #2: Anatomy & Physiology of Breastfeeding

Objectives: By the end of the session, the student will be able to 1) state one benefit of colostrum for the newborn; 2) state when milk production begins in the breast; 3) state one infant and one maternal reason or role of the infant suck in DOL 0-3; 4) demonstrate stomach size; and 5) describe the amount of breast milk available in a breast 0-3.

Rationale: When a client understands the anatomy and physiology of breastfeeding, she is likely to increase the initiation of breastfeeding, decrease the frequency and use of ABM and increases time at the breast.

Learning Strategies/Teacher/Learner Activities: For this lesson plan, the instructor will engage clients in groups to discuss this lesson. In addition, question and answer sessions will be used, along with colorful posters and demonstrations as applicable. This information will be used to discuss the topic at length in the classroom and to provide a means of addressing areas that might be fully understood by clients. This is likely to occur with some of the areas surrounding the anatomy and physiology of this process, thereby requiring the teacher to discuss any areas where the knowledge base is limited or insufficient.

Materials Needed: For this lesson plan, breast bags will be used to address the topic in order to improve the client’s knowledge base and provide additional insight regarding the anatomy and physiology of breastfeeding and its benefits for clients and for their children. This information will be used throughout the breastfeeding process and will encourage clients to take the steps that are required to ensure that proper breastfeeding is achieved to optimize the physiological benefits of this process to ensure that clients and infants receive the best possible outcomes from the breastfeeding experience.

Topic #3: Breast Positioning/Latch – Feeding Cues Made by Infants

Objectives: By the end of the session, the student will be able to 1) state two benefits of proper breast positioning/latch that influence feeding effectiveness; 2) identify three feeding cues made by infants which indicate that it is time for feeding; and 3) state three proper feeding positions that have a positive impact on feeding for infants to obtain the best possible nutrition at this stage.

Rationale: When a client understands the impact of proper breast positioning/latch and infant feeding cues, the latch will be more effective and provide greater support for the child’s feeding regimen (Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2015). In addition, this process will ensure that when the child is deeply latched to the breast, the mother will be more comfortable with the process and its purpose (Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2015).

Learning Strategies/Teacher/Learner Activities: For this lesson plan, the instructor will engage clients in smaller groups to discuss the objectives of this lesson and will provide information regarding the different types of positions and feeding cues that are common in infants. They will then convene as a larger group to discuss their findings and their perceptions of this lesson and how it impacts their own feeding strategies.

Materials Needed: For this lesson plan, colorful posters with photographs will be used to illustrate the different positions and feeding cues that are often observed in infants when feeding time is near.

Topic #4: Getting Enough Breast Milk/Signs of Milk Transfer/Breastfeeding Logs/Cluster

Objectives: By the end of the session, the student will be able to 1) state at least one benefit of obtaining sufficient breast milk for feeding; 2) state at least one indicator that an infant might not be receiving sufficient milk during breastfeeding; 3) state at least one physical indicator that breastfeeding might not be fully effective; 4) state at least one indicator that the infant might not experience optimal nutrition during breastfeeding; and 5) state three benefits of using breastfeeding logs.

Rationale: When a client understands whether or not she is getting enough breast milk to the child, the signs of milk transfer, and the benefits of logs during breastfeeding, she will be able to make adjustments that might have lasting benefits for both mother and child. This process will enable clients to understand the impact of sufficient milk for the child and how this impacts his or her nutritional status (Mayo Clinic, 2015).

Learning Strategies/Teacher/Learner Activities: For this lesson plan, the instructor will engage clients in groups to discuss this lesson. Groups will be comprised of 2 participants each, and each group will discuss problems related to breastfeeding that may minimize the impact of these activities for mother and child. After a period of time, the entire class will reconvene and discuss their findings in order to determine how to improve the breastfeeding process to improve outcomes for mother and child through improved milk production and release. The group will also discuss how to complete a breastfeeding log by developing a “mock” version for discussion, and this model may be adopted for the home environment so that mothers are able to track their breastfeeding habits, challenges, and progress as necessary. This is an important opportunity for each client to better understand her breastfeeding progress and how it potentially impacts the health of her child.

Materials Needed: For this lesson plan, a white board, a dry erase marker, and colorful posters will illustrations regarding breastfeeding will be used to demonstrate the benefits of proper breastfeeding for both mother and child. In addition, sheets of paper and pens will be used to create a “mock” breastfeeding log, one per student.

References

Johns Hopkins Medicine (2015). Effective breastfeeding. Retrieved from http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/conditions/pregnancy_and_childbirth/effective_breastfeeding_90,P02865/

Mayo Clinic (2015). Breast-feeding: how to gauge success. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/breast-feeding/art-20045638