Training of Roma Health Mediators in Reproductive Health

- for sick or disabled babies.
3. Demonstrate how to help a mother who is lying down
Ask the participant who is helping you to demonstrate breastfeeding lying down.
[Note: She should lie down propped on one elbow, with the doll far from her body,
loosely held on the bed]
Follow these steps:
• Help the “mother” to lie down in a comfortable, relaxed position.
Explain to participants:
o To be relaxed, the mother needs to lie down on her side in a position in which
she can sleep.
o Being propped on one elbow is not relaxing for most mothers.
o If she has pillows, a pillow under her head and another under her breast may
help.
• Show her how to hold her baby.
• Ensure that the “mother” remembers and practices the above four key points.
She can support her baby with her lower arm. She can support her breast if
necessary with her upper arm. If she does not support her breast, she can hold her
baby with her upper arm.
Explain to participants:
o A common reason for difficulty attaching when lying down is that the baby is
too high, and he has to bend his neck forward in order to reach the nipple.
o Breastfeeding lying down is useful:
• when a mother wants to sleep, so that she can breastfeed without getting
up;
• soon after a Caesarian section, when lying on her back or side may help
her to breastfeed her baby more comfortably.
4. Demonstrate some common mistakes
[Note: You can give these demonstrations quickly, holding a doll and a model breast
yourself]
Explain that there are some ways a mother holds her baby, which make it difficult for
him to attach to her breast and suckle effectively.
Give the demonstration (follow these steps):
• Use a doll to show these ways of holding a baby:
o too high (for example, sitting with your knees very high);
o too low (for example, with the baby unsupported, so you have to lean
forward);
o too far to the side (for example, putting a small baby too far out in the `crook'
of the arm, instead of on the forearm. This can happen if the mother holds her
baby's bottom in the hand on the same side as the breast he is feeding from).
Explain to participants:
o If a mother holds her baby in these ways, his mouth will not be opposite her
nipple.
o It will be difficult for him to take the breast into his mouth.
• On your own clothed body, or on a model, show these ways of holding a breast:
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RFHI/JSI Romania Training of RHMs in Reproductive Health Session 9: Breastfeeding