Infant Feeding Support - Q&A with Clinician Mercedes Eustergerling

Overview

Infant feeding support is a new and growing area of practice for physiotherapists. Although physiotherapists have been helping dyads (moms and babies) with some aspects of feeding for a long time, the systematic assessment and management of breast and bottle feeding are not currently practiced by many physiotherapists in Canada. Our extensive understanding of infant anatomy, development, and neurophysiology makes us a great asset to those who need help with this functional activity.

Learn how physiotherapists can support breastfeeding in this online course with Mercedes Eustergerling and Pelvic Health Solutions. Discover techniques to manage inflammation, improve latch, and promote optimal infant feeding. In this online course, you will learn about the role of physiotherapists in infant feeding support, review clinical practice guidelines for special pediatric populations, and hear about new research and upcoming courses.

Learning Objectives

In this online course we will learn about:

1. The difference between chest-feeding, breastfeeding, pumping, and supplementing nursing systems. 

2. Breast conditions and inflammation.

3. The biopsychosocial approach model and how to apply this in each session with patients.

4. Intervention options and how to apply them.

5. The role of physiotherapists in infant feeding support.

6. Clinical practice guidelines for special pediatric populations.

7. New research and upcoming courses.

8. Infant conditions, including:

• Infant reflexes 

• Orofacial anatomy 

• Torticollis and MSK

Audience

This course is a relatively new and growing area of practice for physiotherapists. This course is for any physiotherapist or healthcare professional who sees patients postnatally and would like to better understand their role in infant feeding and maternal support.