Kelly Durbin, M.Ed., IBCLC

Biography:

Kelly M. Durbin is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), childbirth educator, author, and volunteer breastfeeding counselor. She has co-authored original research on breastfeeding topics, including access to lactation care, community breastfeeding support, telelactation, and community vulnerability, published in numerous top-tier, peer-reviewed academic journals. Her new book, Protecting Your Potential for Breastfeeding, published by Praeclarus Press, became available in June 2023.

As a lactation consultant, Kelly has provided one-on-one consultations, taught numerous breastfeeding classes, and has conducted nine lactation support groups in five US states, offering evidence-based information, practical support, and compassionate care to hundreds of families since 2008. Kelly is the Curriculum Development Coordinator for Childbirth International. She lives in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, with her husband and two daughters.

Abstract: The Night Shift Effect: Navigating Breastfeeding After Nighttime Birth

Breastfeeding is a robust system; however, lactation can be negatively impacted by multiple variables that occur around the time of birth. One variable of hospital birth that has the potential to impact breastfeeding is birth during the nighttime hours. While delivery in the overnight hours is totally normal for mammals, nighttime birth can inadvertently create challenges for breastfeeding initiation and continuation. Using the latest research, this lecture aims to shed light on the variables that are present during nighttime births in the hospital setting that can potentially interfere with breastfeeding initiation and lactation support. Through analysis of the current literature, this lecture examines breastfeeding obstacles that may arise from giving birth at night, including increased formula supplementation, increase in birth interventions that can negatively impact breastfeeding, delay in lactogenesis II, lack of support for breastfeeding on the night shift, and increased likelihood of NICU admission. Furthermore, this lecture will emphasize the importance of hospital policies that protect breastfeeding, such as the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding. In addition, this lecture explores strategies known to enhance breastfeeding that parents can utilize during the overnight hours, with or without the assistance of high-level lactation support. Finally, this talk includes various strategies that lactation consultants can use to help remediate breastfeeding challenges resulting from nighttime birth.