Breastfeeding Foundation for Doctors

Doctors Course

CERPs: This course does not currently award any accreditation
Cost: US$178
Access Time: 2 months (starting from time of purchase)
Synopsis: This course is designed for medical practitioners working with women antenatally and during the early postpartum. It covers all aspects of the 10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, and is therefore suitable for staff education as required by the Baby Friendly Hospitals' Initiative accreditation process.
Tutor: This course is untutored
Enrol now: http://health-e-learning.com/enroll

For detailed course information, click on "Read More"

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.

Assessment

Successful achievement of the objectives is assessed by multiple choice quiz. Your results are available immediately after submission, and you have unlimited attempts of achieve the passing grade.

Course Administration

Enrollment into the course and notification of passwords occurs online. This course is not facilitated, however the Professional Development Educator is always available to answer any questions by email. On successful completion of the program you will be able to print your Certificate of Completion from the program.

Fees and Enrollment

Enrollment procedures are detailed on the enrollment page.

The course fee is US$178. Enrollment period is for two months.

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.