AP01: Breastfeeding and the Baby with Cleft Lip and/or Palate

Cleft lip and/or palateCERPs: 3.5 L CERPs and 0.75 R CERPs /  4.25 Contact Hours (continuing education credit)
Cost: US$55
Access Time: 1 month (starting from time of purchase)

Enrolling in more than 1 course? Time is cumulative ie buy 2 courses, have 2 months access to both courses
Synopsis: This course, written by Bridget Ingle IBCLC, covers detailed information about clefts their formation, incidence, other difficulties faced by the baby and surgery details. It has been developed for the advanced practitioner as it aims to impart a deep understanding of the significance of these birth defects to enable application of this knowledge to the implications of the condition on feeding challenges and breastfeeding options.
Tutor: untutored
Enrol now: http://health-e-learning.com/enroll

For detailed course information, click on "Read More"

Cleft lip and/or palate is one of the most common major birth defects. Chances are that any health professional working in perinatal care will be involved in the care of a baby born with this defect, and the support and counselling of the parents.

These clefts often involve such a shocking appearance, with facial rearrangement that can interfere significantly with breathing and feeding, and create many challenges to the mother/baby dyad. There are many variations of clefting, some involving other complications, so each baby needs to be cared for with a customized plan which is reviewed frequently. Surgery may be months away, or need to be repeated over years into early adulthood. Breastmilk feeding will promote good growth and development; therefore it is important to encourage effective feeding. Knowledge of normal breastfeeding techniques can be used to assist some babies to adapt to an assisted breastfeeding technique.

Aim of this course

This course covers detailed information about clefts - their formation, incidence, other difficulties faced by the baby, and surgery details. It has been developed for the advanced practitioner as it aims to impart a deep understanding of the significance of these birth defects to enable application of this knowledge to the implications of the condition on feeding challenges and breastfeeding options.

Learning Objectives

It is expected that the student possesses a comprehensive understanding of

  • infant oral anatomy,
  • breastfeeding suckling action and tongue and nipple placement,
  • the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding (WHO/UNICEF),
  • application and benefits of skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby after birthing,
  • assessment of the baby's physical well-being, and
  • actions to promote adequate milk supply.

On completion of this course you should be able to

  • note the anatomical variations which occur with each different type of orofacial defect
  • relate the formation process of clefts during the embryonic stages.
  • list three risk factors which may increase occurrence rates.
  • list some of the significant worldwide statistics of frequency of clefting.
  • list the physical challenges for a baby born with a cleft defect.
  • describe different surgical interventions to repair the cleft.
  • discuss the psychological impact on the mother/parent following the birth of their baby with a cleft.
  • describe the importance and significance of breastmilk to babies who have an orofacial defect.
  • describe the important immediate post birth measures to ensure mother/baby bonding and early breastmilk feeding.
  • list all recommendations for maintaining a healthy milk supply.
  • describe techniques that may help the baby to develop a special breastfeeding technique and to assist with an efficient feeding performance for mother and baby.
  • note several additional feeding methods which may be used by babies with an orofacial cleft.
  • access information for parents of babies born with a cleft defect, including support groups.

Syllabus

  1. Introduction
    • classification and description
    • incidence and prevalence
    • normal relevant anatomy
      • embryology
      • formation of the cleft
    • causes and risk factors
  2. Associated difficulties/complications
    • Baby; Older baby/child; Mother
  3. Application to breastfeeding
  4. Alternative feeding methods/devices
  5. Surgical prospects
    • cleft lip repair
    • cleft palate repair
  6. Prevention and future prospects
    • genetic counseling and dietary advice
    • support groups

Course administration

Your enrollment period for AP01 Breastfeeding the Baby with a Cleft Lip and/or Palate is for a period of one month, commencing on the day your Username and Password is emailed to the email address you provide on your enrollment form. Your Certificate of Achievement can be collected from the program when you successfully complete the Assessment.

Course readings

All required readings are provided within the course. The course is well-referenced; for additional information please refer to the original articles.

Assessment and Certificate

An online, automatically graded multiple-choice quiz forms the assessment for this course. You will be required to achieve 85% to pass, and will have three attempts, your highest grade being recorded as your final grade.

You will be able to download your Certificate of Completion from the course when you achieve a passing grade on the final assessment quiz.

Accreditation

This course has been accredited by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners.

3.5 L CERPs and 0.75 R CERPs
IBLCE Approval No: C28046
4.25 Contact Hours
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

This module has been written by Bridget Ingle RN, RM, IBCLC, Australia, and is the culmination of several years interest in assisting others and their babies who were born with any type of orofacial defect. The information is based on a wide range of published texts and research, and also includes facts and knoweldge sharing which has resulted from clinical experience and practice.

Copyright of all the photos used resides with Bridget Ingle who is the photographer and has used them with the permission of the parents who have been willing to share the story of their baby in the hope of supporting and educating others. Please respect this copyright and do not copy the photographs without written permission from Bridget Ingle.

The following experts reviewed this course and provided opinion:

  • Christa Herzog-Isler, RN IBCLC, Lactation Consultant to Interdisciplinary Cleft Team, Switzerland
  • Dr Richard Lewandowski, MBBS FRACS, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Brisbane, Australia

The following International Board Certified Lactation Consultants pre-tested the course:

  • Janet (Jaye) Simpson
  • Patricia Berg-Drazin
  • Assunta Osterholt
  • Karen Zeretske
  • Cher Sealy
  • Adria Cannon
  • Marsha Bearden