The final assessment will comprise multiple-choice and true/false style questions that are automatically graded - the student receiving immediate feedback on each question.

On successful completion a certificate of completion, detailing the educational points awarded, will be emailed to the student.

It is expected the student will complete the course within one month of enrolling.

Aim:

The aim of this course is to provide you with sufficient information for you to understand how breastmilk is affected by medications, social drugs and environmental contaminants, and how that might in turn affect the breastfeeding infant.

Objectives:

On completion of this course the participant will be able to:

• describe how drugs are transferred into breastmilk, listing what influences the breastmilk concentration of drugs,
• discuss the factors influencing absorption of the drug by the infant, and outline clinical strategies that reduce drug transfer to the infant,
• identify drugs and herbal preparations that increase or decrease the production of breastmilk and outline their recommended usage,
• advise which drugs are not compatible with breastfeeding,
• detail the safe usage of drugs prescribed for common conditions such as postpartum infections and depression
• discuss the effect of environmental contaminants on breastmilk and infants, and
• counsel a breastfeeding mother on the effects of recreational and illegal drugs on her and her infant

Course Administration:

BE08 Breastmilk, Lactation and Medications 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.

Course Syllabus:

1. Introduction:
2. Drug transfer into breastmilk:
   • Maternal plasma levels
   • Other factors
     • Stage of lactation
     • Lipid solubility of the drug
     • Milk pH (ion trapping)
     • Molecular weight of drugs
     • Protein binding of drug
     • Age and maturity of infant
     • Stage of lactation
     • Oral bioavailability
3. Drug transfer to the infant
   • Prescribing for breastfeeding mothers
   • Clinical strategies to reduce drug transfer
   • Drugs contraindicated during lactation
4. Drugs that affect breastmilk production
   • Galactagogues
   • Reducing supply
5. Drugs commonly prescribed for breastfeeding women
   • Antibiotics and antifungals
   • Anti-depressants
   • Analgesics
6. Maternal use of Recreational and illicit drugs
7. Environmental contaminants in breastmilk

Required Reading Materials

All required reading materials available online

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

Assessment

Automatically graded online multiple choice questions

Passing grade is 85%. Unlimited attempts permitted.

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 subject matter expert: Prof K. Ilett (ver1), Trudi Szallasi IBCLC

Course release date: December 2006.

Next review date: December 2008

Fees and Enrollment

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