Perinatal Educator, Birth Doula, Lactation Professional, Dunstan Baby Language Educator Founder: The Mother's Club Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Abstract: In this presentation, I would like to speak about the condition of clubfoot in newborns and how this affects the breastfeeding journey. Clubfoot being a condition which requires treatment immediately after birth can be a very challenging time for moms as this is also the crucial window for breastfeeding. I will be discussing about the ponsetti method of treatment, the tenotomy procedure and the special shoes the baby has to wear for 2 years and its impact on breastfeeding. I will be discussing the varying challenges the baby and mother dyad face in getting a latch when the baby is in constant distress in the cast during the first few weeks after birth. Furthermore will be discussing the mental and emotional trauma that the mother undergoes in her postpartum journey with the added agony of watching her baby in distress which again can take a toll on her milk supply. Every baby deserves a fair chance to be breastfed and so do babies with this type of a birth defect. Through this presentation, I would like to create an awareness on clubfoot in the lactation professionals community and would like to present how we as professionals can help mothers cope through these difficult times. Knowledge and support is what will aid mothers during this time and who better to help them out than a lactation professional.
Publication:
Diversity and Inclusion: Every mother should be empowered with the knowledge and support to breastfeed their child.
Disclosures: Presenter(s) indicated no conflicts of interest to disclose.
Learning Objectives:
Explain the condition of clubfoot
Discuss the ways in which it can be treated
Describe the emotional components and how to counsel when a new parent experiences a distressed baby as well as seeing the defect on the baby.
Classify the various challenges that the treatment has on the dyad and describe how to help them overcome it