XL20: Delayed Onset of Lactogenesis: Causes, consequences, lactation support

Attention: open in a new window.PDFPrintE-mail

Delayed onset (after 72 hours postpartum) of lactogenesis II is surprisingly common among women in the United States. For example, we found the prevalence of delayed lactogenesis II to be 44% among a diverse cohort of first-time mothers in northern California.

By contrast, the prevalence of delayed lactogenesis II is reported to be 3 to 8 times lower among first-time mothers in Central America, South America and Africa.

Why do U.S. mothers not experience their “second milk” coming in until day 4, 5, or 6, or even later, when women in other settings experience onset on day 1 or 2? How do we optimize lactation support during this temporary challenge? I will present the current evidence regarding.

  1. the short and long-term consequences associated with delayed lactogenesis II
  2. individual, institutional, and behavioral risk factors associated with delayed lactogenesis II
  3. potentially effective interventions to hasten the onset of lactogenesis II, and
  4. the importance of in-person post-discharge follow-up support in ensuring that delayed lactogenesis II does not interfere with meeting breastfeeding goals.
Add this course to your enrollment basket
Lecturer:
Prof Laurie Nommsen-Rivers PhD, RD, IBCLC
Synopsis:
A key factor in the successful establishment of breastfeeding is timely onset of lactogenesis II (secretory activation or the milk 'coming in'). This presentation examines the apparent delay frequently experienced by North American first-time mothers, the risk factors associated and how lactation can be supported during this sensitive period.
CERPs:
1 L CERPs / 1 Lactation Specific Hours
Cost:
US$25
Access period:
One week
Lecture recorded at:
GOLD10

Prof Laurie Nommsen-Rivers is a research assistant professor at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center in the Division of Neonatology. Prof Nommsen-Rivers has studied and evaluated lay childbirth support programs (doula care), tested and confirmed the hypothesis that mother-friendly childbirth practices will decrease the risk of delayed lactogenesis, thereby decreasing the risk of weaning prior to 6 weeks postpartum.

Through her research her goal is to contribute to closing the gap between new mothers' breastfeeding goals and the many barriers that stand in the way of meeting those goals.