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 aim of this course is to create an awareness of the importance of correct positioning and latching skills in all health professionals who assist breastfeeding dyads.

Learning Objectives

• Describe infant oral anatomy that is relevant to breastfeeding.
• Draw and label the anatomy of the lactating breast
• Describe the process of suckling
• Demonstrate to a mentor how to teach a mother to position and latch her baby correctly herself
• Define how to assess the effectiveness of a breastfeed
• Teach a mother how to assess the effectiveness of her infant's breastfeeding
• Recognise when and why problems are occurring and describe the process

Prerequisites

• A good understanding of anatomy and physiology of the lactating breast.  Completion of BE02 would be appropriate.
• Good observational skills
• The ability to listen to what the mother is saying, then apply evidence-based theory to the practical situation.
• A Mentor. This course will help you to learn the theory of good positioning and latch and give you practical tips. However, it is essential that you observe a competent practitioner assisting a mother to breastfeed, and have that person observe your skills. It is expected that you will seek out your own mentor. Share your notes on this course with your mentor so they will understand what you are trying to achieve

Administration:

BE03: Positioning and Latch of the Baby to the Breast is facilitated by an experienced International Board Certified Lactation Consultant.
There is a forum where topical issues may be raised, case studies discussed, questions posed and answered, links to additional information provided, etc.
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

1. Introduction
2. Review of Anatomy
   1. Review of Anatomy
   2. Review of Infant Anatomy
3. Sharing the Skills
   1. Good positioning
   2. Good latch
   3. Poor latch
      
4. Milk Transfer
1. Milk Ejection Reflex
2. Physics of Sucking
3. Infant factors
4. Maternal factors
   
5. Assessing a Breastfeed
1. Assessment of a Breastfeed
2. Assessment Tools
6. Common Problems
   

Required Reading Material

All required reading materials available online.

A quality, current lactation text is 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)**

*IBLCE Approval Number: C26309
**Health e-Learning is an approved provider of continuing education by the Virginia Nurses’ Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses’ Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. ANCC Approval 07-01-01

Quality Assurance

• Author: Denise Fisher, MMP, BN, IBCLC
• Reviewed by: Barbara Ash IBCLC Trudi Szallasi IBCLC
• Course release date: September 2005.
• Next review date: October 2008

Enrolment 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, cumulative eg. 3 course enrollments = 3 months access to all 3 courses.