This wholly online evidence-based course uses course notes, examples, links to quality educational websites, graphics, a workbook and self-test quizzes to assist the student’s learning. The course is extensively referenced using recent primary research and current texts relevant to the topic.
The course is facilitated via the forum by an experienced online tutor. The forum provides a place where topical issues may be raised, case studies discussed, questions posed and answered, links to additional information provided, and students and the facilitator can interact.

Aim

The purpose of this course is to give the student a good understanding of the composition of breastmilk and a strong appreciation of its value to babies and children, and their mothers.

Learning Objectives

On successful completion of this course the student will be able to

• list the macronutrients and many micronutrients in breastmilk, describing the function of each, the value to the child, and what influences their concentration in breastmilk.
• describe the major proteins, carbohydrates and fats that have an immunological function in breastmilk.
• list 5 acute diseases and 5 chronic diseases directly attributable to being artificially-fed, and discuss 5 interventions of which one is related to feeding choice that will prevent or lessen the severity of allergic disease in children.
• discuss developmental delays attributable to artificial feeding.
• list the effects of suppressing lactation on maternal anaemia, contraception, weight control, diabetes, breast cancer, endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer.

Administration:

BE01 Breastmilk Composition and Function is facilitated by an experienced International Board Certified Lactation Consultant.
The course is available as a one month subscription commencing on the day of notification to you of your username and password.
On successful completion your Certificate will be emailed to you in pdf format.

Syllabus

The subject is studied under the following topic headings:

1. Introduction
2. Optimal Nutrition
   • Protein
   • Carbohydrates
   • Milk Lipids
   • Vitamins
   • Colostrum
3. Immunology
   • Defenses in breastmilk
4. Health Outcomes
   • Acute diseases
   • Chronic diseases
   • Allergic responses
   • Developmental characteristics
   • Maternal implications

Required Reading Material

All required reading materials available online.

A quality, current lactation text is strongly recommended to augment your studies.

Assessment

Achievement of the learning objectives is assessed by automatically graded, online, multiple-choice questions. A passing grade is 85%.

A Workbook, downloaded from the course, is not required to be submitted, but completion will aid learning and provide an excellent resource.

Accreditation

On successful completion of this course you will be awarded:

• 12 L CERPs*
• 12 Contact Hours (ANCC)**

Quality Assurance

• Author: Denise Fisher, MMP, BN, IBCLC
• Immunology topic reviewed by Prof Lars Å Hanson, MD, PhD, FRCPCH(hon), Professor Emeritus, Dept of Clinical Immunology, Göteborg University, Sweden.
• Reviewed by subject matter experts: Sue Cox, IBCLC and Trudi Szallasi, IBCLC
• Course release date: September 2006.
• Next review date: October 2008

Enrollment and Fees

Enrollments are accepted online, or upon receipt of a faxed or mailed enrollment form (number and address on enrollment form). Click HERE now to go to the Enrollment page where you can enroll online or download and print the Enrollment Form

US$108.00 per course (approx AUS/Can/NZ$115)

Enrollment period is for one month per course, which is cumulative when you enroll into more than one BreastEd course; eg. enroll into 4 BreastEd courses and have access to all 4 courses for 4 months