Presentation Information
Supporting Bereaved Parents in Grief, Lactation, and Milk Donation Decisions
- Speaker: Katherine Carroll , PhD, BPhysiotherapy, BA (Hons)
- Presentation Type:
- Duration: 60 Mins
- Credits:
Abstract:
The death of an infant is devastating and life changing and can elicit profound grief for parents, family members, friends, and health professionals. Many families of stillborn infants and infants who die in the first days, weeks and months of life are faced with decisions about managing their lactation. For some bereaved parents, breastmilk donation may be a desired outcome, yet donation is not always an option presented to, or available to them. Drawing on research with health professionals and bereaved parents, this session will cover (i) the variable meanings of human milk and milk donation after infant death from the perspective of lactating parents and their partners, (ii) the complex temporalities of grief, lactation, and donation decision-making that families and health professionals navigate in the hospital context; (iii) common hurdles that families and health professionals encounter in order to include donation as a care option in the hospital setting, and (iv) alternatives to milk donation when bereaved parents may be ineligible to donate their milk. Participants will be equipped to take this new knowledge and apply it to the unique culture of their own practice settings.
Live Presentation Schedule
Apr 7, 2026
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07-04-2026 23:00
08-04-2026 00:00
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Supporting Bereaved Parents in Grief, Lactation, and Milk Donation Decisions
The death of an infant is devastating and life changing and can elicit profound grief for parents, family members, friends, and health professionals. Many families of stillborn infants and infants who die in the first days, weeks and months of life are faced with decisions about managing their lactation. For some bereaved parents, breastmilk donation may be a desired outcome, yet donation is not always an option presented to, or available to them. Drawing on research with health professionals and bereaved parents, this session will cover (i) the variable meanings of human milk and milk donation after infant death from the perspective of lactating parents and their partners, (ii) the complex temporalities of grief, lactation, and donation decision-making that families and health professionals navigate in the hospital context; (iii) common hurdles that families and health professionals encounter in order to include donation as a care option in the hospital setting, and (iv) alternatives to milk donation when bereaved parents may be ineligible to donate their milk. Participants will be equipped to take this new knowledge and apply it to the unique culture of their own practice settings.
GOLD Lactation Conference
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