Shared decision-making for infant feeding and care during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Despite decades of research establishing the importance of breastfeeding, skin-to-skin contact and mother-infant closeness, the response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has underscored the hidden assumption that these practices can be dispensed with no consequences to mother or child. This article aims to support shared decision-making process for infant feeding and care with parents and health care providers during the unprecedented times of the pandemic. It proposes a structure and rationale to guide the process that includes (1) discussing with parents evidence-based information and the different options to feed and care for an infant and young child in the context of the pandemic as well as their potential benefits, risks and scientific uncertainties; (2) helping parents to recognize the sensitive nature of the decisions and to clarify the value they place on the different options to feed and care for their infant or young child; and (3) providing guidance and support needed to make and implement their decisions. A shared decision-making process will help parents navigate complex feeding and care decisions for their child as we face the different stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Musculoskeletal Impairment: Causes of Pain with Breastfeeding Insight into 11 Cases.

Objective: To determine the possible relationship between pain experienced by mothers with breastfeeding and musculoskeletal impairment commonly seen in physiotherapy practice. Evidence-based principles of the evaluation and treatment of musculoskeletal impairment used in physiotherapy practice were applied and adapted to manage pain experienced by mothers with breastfeeding. Subjects and Methods: This report describes 11 mothers referred to a breastfeeding clinic for pain with breastfeeding. Mothers were initially assessed by a physician and a nurse clinician, both International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants, to rule out causes of breast or nipple pain. When the cause remained unexplained, it was deemed musculoskeletal, and mothers were referred to a physiotherapist for assessment and treatment with manual orthopedic therapy and mobilization of the myofascial system. Results: The physiotherapist's objective musculoskeletal assessment and mothers' impression showed an improvement in the overall clinical picture after the first appointment in most mothers. Pain was resolved or alleviated by 80% in five mothers after 1-3 weekly treatments. The most useful therapeutic approach was to make afflicted mothers aware of their posture to maintain spinal alignment and avoid shear posture (lateral displacement of the trunk). Shear posture is a consequence of sitting leaning to one side. This posture is exacerbated by thoracic rotation and flexion, for example, when turning the trunk and bending over the baby while giving the breast. Conclusion: Treating musculoskeletal impairment referred pain to the breast or nipple with physiotherapy practices used in a nonbreastfeeding clientele can help alleviate or resolve pain with breastfeeding.