Access Time:

2 months (starting from time of purchase)

Cost:

US$197

Tutor:

This course is  not tutored

Credits:

This course does not currently award any accreditation

Well-constructed online learning gives you the best of both worlds - quality content that you can work through at your own pace, in your own place, but with a level of personal attention that even rivals face-to-face programs. And, you guessed it, Health e-Learning programs are the BEST of online learning with all these great features:

• Log in when it suits you 24/7/365
• Study at your own pace within your enrolment period
  • no formal deadlines, stressful exams or assignments
• All reading provided or linked
• Periodic testing of knowledge with fun self test activities
• Immediate feedback for final online assessment
  • certificate of completion issued immediately
• Easy email contact with an experienced content matter expert for questions.
• Administrative and technical support available online

Aim of the course

The aim of the course is

• to improve the breastfeeding assistance provided to women by medical professionals in a manner that is consistent and evidence-based, and
• to provide the consistent, convenient, cost-effective, high-quality staff education required by hospitals seeking Baby Friendly Initiative accreditation.

Learning objectives

After completing this learning resource a doctor should be able to:

• Provide information and assess breastfeeding women.
  • Discuss the impact doctors can have on breastfeeding initiation and duration.
  • Explain the evidence-based differences in maternal and infant outcomes that occur with breastfeeding vs formula feeding and why these differences occur.
  • Apply knowledge of breast anatomy and physiology to identify women who may have difficulty lactating.
  • Discuss the nutritional properties of human milk.
  • Identify and assess conditions that may contraindicate breastfeeding.
  • Discuss six concerns mothers may have with breastfeeding and strategies they may use to overcome these concerns.
  • Assess the risk of a maternal medication for an infant who is being breastfed.
  • Locate reputable information regarding a specific drug and its use during lactation.
  • Provide advice related to the Lactational Amenorrhoea Method of contraception.
• Manage the normal breastfeeding dyad.
  • By following the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, plan appropriate breastfeeding related management of a well mother and infant in the first three days postpartum.
  • Assess whether an infant less than two weeks of age is receiving sufficient breastmilk.
  • Describe changes in normal breastfeeding behaviours (including feeding and elimination patterns) from birth to one month.
  • Assess correct positioning and attachment.
  • Use and interpret appropriate infant growth charts.
  • Discuss the rationale for the timely introduction of complementary foods.
  • Explain the recommendations related to weaning.
• Manage abnormal situations for the breastfeeding dyad.
  • Assess the effect on breastfeeding of: near-term birth; pain relief used in labour; poor latch; and hypoglycaemia.
  • Differentiate between normal breast fullness and engorgement and plant appropriate treatment.
  • Discuss the causes of jaundice in the neonatal period and their relationship with breastfeeding.
  • Distinguish between causes of delayed lactogenesis and low milk supply.
  • Plan appropriate management/treatment of a woman with a low milk supply.
  • Discriminate between the common causes of sore and cracked nipples within the first week, and at one month.
  • Plan appropriate management/treatment for a woman with: infected nipples; vasospasm; or dermatological conditions affecting the nipple.
  • Identify causes of and diagnose mastitis and breast abscess.
  • Plan appropriate treatment of a woman with mastitis or breast abscess.

Reading Material

• All required reading materials and resources are available online.
  • A quality, current lactation text is advisable to augment your studies. Please see our list of recommended resources for further information.
• Participants are permitted to print one copy of their course for personal use only.
  • If you do wish to print, please be aware that some courses are over 60 pages in length. Be advised that links to articles and interactive activities are not available in the printed version.

Successful achievement of the objectives is assessed by multiple choice quizzes. Your results are available immediately after submission.

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

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

Accreditation

Continuing education credits have not been sought for this course. Should you require them, please submit your Certificate of Completion along with the course information to your professional body for individual consideration.

• The course is available as a two month subscription commencing on the day of notification to you of your username and password, which will be emailed to you on receipt of payment.
• The subscription time may be extended by purchasing an extension prior to the subscription expiry date.
• The average time taken to complete this course and the assessment is 5 hours.
• On successful completion your Certificate will be available to you in pdf format from the course website.
• Replacement certificates can be obtained for a fee, however we maintain an official transcript that is available free for all customers to download at any time.
• This course is not facilitated. However, questions emailed to the Professional Development Educator will be promptly responded to.

Fees and Payments

• Enrollments are accepted online, or upon receipt of a faxed or mailed enrollment form (available on request).
• Payments online are available using either PayPal or WorldPay gateways.
• The cost is US$197.
• Additional fees, that are out of our control, may be charged by your bank to convert this to your local currency.
• Please see our Payments FAQ for more information.

Refunds and Privacy

Please see our Terms and Conditions for more information regarding refunds and our Privacy Policy is also available.

Quality Assurance

• This course was researched and authored by Dr Wendy Brodribb, AM, MBBS, IBCLC, PhD.
• Denise Fisher, MMP, BN, IBCLC, Professional Development Educator for Health e-Learning reviewed the content.
• Health e-Learning provided course design and programming.
• Course reviews are conducted annually. New content information is added on an ongoing basis as research is published.

Accreditation

Continuing education credits have not been sought for this course. Should you require them, please submit your Certificate of Completion along with the course information to your professional body for individual consideration.