Course Aim:

The aim of this course is to assist the health professional to recognize and facilitate the normal progress of breastfeeding from the first postnatal week until beyond weaning, and to prevent problems related to breastfeeding, recognize them when they do occur and manage them effectively.

Learning Objectives:

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

• Identify growth and development milestones and breastfeeding behavior expected at various ages and how to use growth assessment tools
• List the developmental milestones to be achieved before complementary feeding is commenced and suitable complementary foods at various ages
• Refer mothers to articles discussing the normal age for weaning; and outline how to wean an infant prematurely
• Develop a plan of care to manage insufficient milk supply
• List signs, symptoms and management of breastmilk jaundice
• List causes and management of colic
• Identify the issues to discuss with a mother who is returning to the workforce
• Develop an information sheet for use of a nipple shield
• List causes and management of nipple damage
• List causes and management of nipple pain
• List causes and management of mastitis
• Identify their professional responsibilities relating to a client consultation

Course Administration:

BE07 Breastfeeding After the First Week 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

Growth and Development:

1. Developmental milestones
2. Assessing adequate growth
   • Weight gain, length, head circumference, growth charts - using scales, visual assessment
3. Behaviour
   • Sleep, crying, responding to cues
4. Feeding
   • Breastfeeding
   • Complementary feeding
     • Readiness
     • Suitable complementary foods
   • Weaning - normal age, behavior
5. Infant Issues:
   1. Breast refusal:
   2. Suck confusion, dummies
   3. Breastmilk jaundice
   4. Crying baby: Colic; oversupply; GOR - cow milk allergy
   5. Inadequate weight gain
      • Perceived
      • Hypernatremic dehydration
      • Maternal low supply
      • Failure to thrive - other reasons
      • Supplementing, test weighing
6. Maternal Issues - Involving Dad
   1. Nipple problems
      • Type - inverted, etc nipple shields
      • Damage - ankyloglossia, disorganized suck, breast shells
      • Pain - rashes, lesions, eczema, thrush, vasospasm, blister
   2. Breast problems
      • Blocked ducts
      • Mastitis; abscess
   3. Separation of mother and baby
      • Pumps and pumping
      • Storage of breastmilk
      • Breastmilk feeding
   4. Premature weaning
7. Professional Issues
   1. Responsibilities
   2. Note Taking; Report Writing

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: Barbara Ash, MA, IBCLC

Course release date: January 2007.

Next review date: January 2009

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