TINY LIVES FUNDS VITAL ‘LACTATION AFTER LOSS’ PROJECT

A Tiny Lives-funded project focused on ‘Lactation after Loss’ has been launched for NHS staff.

Recently we funded ‘Lactation after Loss’, a free online eLearning course designed to support RVI staff to better support bereaved parents following baby loss, specifically the management of lactation and we are over the moon that this project is now live and available for medical professionals to use.

 ‘Lactation After Loss: Choices for Bereaved Parents’ is a free, high-quality, endorsed e-learning for NHS staff to explore critical concepts surrounding lactation following baby loss, from the physiological processes to the practical options available for families. It is here to:

  Support mothers in the face of loss with actionable lactation guidance

 Understand the impact of baby loss, from lactation physiology to breast milk donation options

 Guide mothers with compassion through sensitive discussions to find supportive lactation solutions

As a charity, we are committed to funding research to further support better health outcomes for premature and poorly babies and their families in the North East and North Cumbria. This is just part of our extended service to allow us to support more families as they navigate their unique version of the neonatal journey.

The project was led by, Nicholas Embleton Professor of Neonatal Medicine with over 25 year’s experience in a large NICU, including research programmes in neonatal nutrition & work with parents

In a video speaking about the project, Prof. Nicholas Embleton said, “I only found out about the idea of lactation after baby loss only around two or three years ago and when I first heard about it I was a bit surprised or confused, I had never really thought about it if I am honest. Over my career, I must have sadly looked after hundreds of families who had babies who died and I hadn’t stopped to think about the choices that women have to make when their baby died. Even though I don’t look after women who have had a stillbirth, as I’m a neonatologist, not an obstetrician, I hadn’t stopped to think about how women might want to make choices that are different from the standard offer of just taking drugs to suppress lactation.

You can watch Prof. Nicholas Embleton discuss the project in more detail here.

If you would like to find out more about the kinds of projects we fund and how you can support our work please email info@tinylives.org.uk or call 0191 230 2112.