Supplementation: A Goldilocks Dilemma

Helping a lactating family determine if, when, and how to supplement their baby is a common situation for lactation care providers. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy! In fact, cases where it’s unclear whether a human-milk-fed baby is getting enough to eat and what to do about it can be complex and frustrating — for both parents and providers. Don’t go it alone.

In this course, Alyssa Schnell, MS, IBCLC, teaches you a step-by-step approach. As an IBCLC who specializes in induced lactation, relactation, and related topics–where there is often a need for supplementation, Schnell draws on a wealth of hands-on knowledge about this topic. Enjoy her clear explanations and rich content, and rest assured that you will be well prepared the next time you encounter a family that needs to supplement.

You’ll learn clear, systematic steps to determine:

• Is baby getting enough?
• If not, what is the underlying cause, and how can it be addressed?
• How can breastfeeding/chestfeeding management be optimized?
• Is supplementation needed?

For babies who do need supplementation, Schnell offers a clear, easy-to-use road map for determining:

• The just-right amount of supplement that will support appropriate grown and weight gain without compromising parental milk supply
• How long to continue supplementing

She also explains how to choose the right device to use to provide the supplement, covering bottles, special needs feeders, finger feeding, cup or spoon feeding, syringes, and droppers. Lastly, she takes a deep dive into the use of at-breast or chest supplementers, exploring the benefits and challenges and providing specific, actionable advice for solving the challenges.