Breastfeeding education plays a crucial role in empowering new mothers with the confidence and skills they need for successful nursing. A pivotal element in this learning process is the use of breast models. These models serve as an indispensable resource for lactation consultants, enabling them to demonstrate vital techniques like proper latching and hand positioning. In this post, I will delve into the practical applications and what to look for in breast models for lactation practice. Additionally, I will provide insights into my favorite breast models, linking you to the resources that have proven most effective in my experience.

Teaching With A Breast Model

Breast models can be very useful for demonstrating how to achieve a deep latch. Many first time parents don’t realize that babies latch deeply onto the breast, not just on the nipple. Using a breast model, the lactation consultant can use her hand as the baby’s mouth and demonstrate how baby opens wide and latches deeply onto the breast, taking the nipple far back into the mouth.

Another way you can demonstrate latch with a breast model is to use the analogy of how an adult bites into a Big Mac. I will use my hand to compress the breast, as I would compress the sandwich to fit it in my mouth. I will explain how adults tip their heads back and place the compressed burger on their lower jaw before biting down with the upper jaw. Using the breast model, I will demonstrate how the baby tips their head back, the breast is placed on baby’s lower jaw, and then the baby closes down his upper jaw. The compression of the breast is a really important part to demonstrate here.

Breast models can also be great teaching tools for demonstrating how to do Reverse Pressure Softening and Hand Expression. For moms with painfully full breasts, they may not want the LC to be hands on. Having the breast model allows you to demonstrate without causing any discomfort to the mom.

Teaching With A Breast Model

• Soft and compressible- You want to be able to show how to compress the breast, sandwich the breast, and demonstrate Reverse Pressure Softening and Hand Expression.
• Life Size- It may be difficult to demonstrate proper hand placement with very small models. A life size model will help with more accurate demonstrations.
• Variety of nipple shapes and sizes- Nipples come in all shapes and sizes and many first time moms don’t have long, erect nipples like you see in the typical breast model. Having a variety of nipple shapes enables you to demonstrate how to work with flatter nipple types.
• Washable- Germs are everywhere. To keep our moms and babies healthy, you need to be able to wash your breast models.

What do you Want in a Breast Model? 

• Soft and compressible– You want to be able to show how to compress the breast, sandwich the breast, demonstrate reverse pressure softening
• Life size– It may be difficult to demonstrate proper hand placement with very small models
• Variety of nipple shapes and sizes– Nipples come in all shapes and sizes and many first time mom’s don’t have long, erect nipples like you see in the typical breast model. Having a variety of nipple shapes enables you to demonstrate how to work with flatter nipple types.
• Washable– Germs are everywhere. To keep our moms and babies healthy, you need to be able to wash your breast models.

My Favorite Breast Models

How I Use Breast Models