Access Time:

1 month (starting from the time of purchase)
Enrolling in more than 1 course? Time is cumulative ie buy 2 courses, have 2 months access to both courses

Accreditation:

4 L CERPs / 4 Pre-exam Education Hours / 4 CH

Recertification: Detailed Content Outline domains: III (a-8,12,13, b-3,4,12), IV (F), V (C, J)

Tutor: 

This course is self directed and unfacilitated. 

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-IIHL 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
• Course facilitation by a highly experienced IBCLC tutor
• Gain valuable support and network with students from all over the world
• Immediate feedback for the final online assessment
  
  • certificate of completion issued immediately
• Administrative and technical support is available online

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this course

Syllabus

TOPIC 1 Introduction (I. Development & Nutrition)

Introduction to the anatomy of lactation

TOPIC 2 Anatomy of the Breast (I. Development & Nutrition)

Tanner stages of breast development; Mammogenesis; Embryology; Embryological development; Conception to Puberty; Birth to puberty; Puberty to preconception; Pregnancy and Lactation; Lactation and beyond.  

TOPIC 2.1 Functional anatomy (I. Development & Nutrition)

Breast Capacity; Breast Descriptors. 

TOPIC 2.2 Supportive anatomy (I. Development & Nutrition)

Blood supply; Lymphatic movement within the breast; Nerve supply; Milk ejection reflex; Fatty tissue (adipose tissue); Cooper's Ligaments.

TOPIC 2.3 Anomalies of breast development (I. Development & Nutrition)

Accessory tissue; Ectopic breast tissue; Polythelia; Breast Hypertrophy; Hypermastia; Gigantomastia; Hypoplasia; Nipple differences; Inverted nipples; Flat nipples; Large nipples; Other challenging nipple abnormalities; Nipple Discharge; Milk colours

TOPIC 3 Relevant Anatomy for Breastfeeding (III. Pathology)

Anatomical structures of both mother's/parent's breast and the infant's mouth and cranium are formed specifically for functional interaction enabling effective breastfeeding.

TOPIC 3.1 Breast Anatomy & Infant Feeding (I. Development & Nutrition)

Physical structures of the breast.

TOPIC 3.2 Conditions of the Breast related to Feeding (III. Pathology)

Ductal narrowing, plugging or blocked ducts; Mastitis; Breast Abscess; Definitions; Preventive Strategies; Management; Complications

TOPIC 3.3 Breast surgery and breastfeeding (I. Development & Nutrition)

Breast Surgery; Augmentation mammaplasty; Reduction mammaplasty; How will lactation be affected?; The lactation consultation; When breastfeeding and infant needs are different. 

TOPIC 4 Communication skills (VII. Clinical Skills)

 Building confidence 

Separation of dyad; Effect on oxytocin; Birth is a sensitive period; The chemistry of feeding; Effect on breastfeeding; Washing dyad; Suctioning of the newborn

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 (1) copy of their course notes for personal use only.
  • If you do wish to print, please be aware that some courses are over 60 pages in length. Please be advised that links to articles and interactive activities are not available in the printed version.

Quality Assurance

• Authors: Carole Dobrich, B.Sc, RN, IBCLC and Valerie Lavigne, Chiropractor DC, MSc.
• Editors: Carole Dobrich, B.Sc, RN, IBCLC, Valerie Lavigne, Chiropractor DC, MSc., Manon Campagna, RN, IBCLC, Kristina Palmer-Field, RN, RM, BA(Humanities), IBCLC.
• Course reviewers: Patricia Abby Berg, RLC, IBCLC, CST-D; Jen Chesna-Buckle, IBCLC; Juanita Jauer Steichen, MA IBCLC LLLL; Jennifer Ribergaard - Clinical Nurse, IBCLC
• All courses are reviewed bi-annually and updated as new information becomes available.

Aim

In commencing a study on which to base best practice, an understanding of normal anatomical growth, development, and function of the breast is vital so that the abnormal can be recognized and evidence-based strategies can be developed. The aim of this course is for participants to acquire a high level of understanding of breast anatomy so that they can base their breastfeeding/chestfeeding management advice on sound principles.

Objectives

On successful completion of this course, you will be able to

• List the developmental stages of the breast from the embryological stage, through puberty, to the childbearing years and beyond.
• Describe the components of a lactocyte and describe their function.
• Describe the ductal and glandular systems in terms of distribution, arrangement, and number of milk ducts.
• Discuss the significance of the areola and nipple to breastfeeding.
• Articulate the series of events that occur when the milk ejection reflex is elicited.
• List the arterial supply to, and lymphatic drainage from, the breast.
• Describe anomalies of breast anatomy that may impact feeding.

Assessment

Achievement of the learning objectives is assessed by automatically graded, online, multiple-choice questions. A passing grade is 80%.

When you successfully complete the course, you must download your Certificate of Completion immediately. Your Certificate notes ongoing education accreditation points.

Accreditation

On successful completion of this course, you will be awarded:

• 4 L CERPs
• 4 Professional Development Education hours
• 4 CHs*
  

For IBLCE examination preparation, this course provides 4 pre-exam education hours.

For IBCLC recertification this course covers the following Detailed Content Outline Domains:

I. Development and Nutrition

• B. Maternal
  • 1. Breast development and growth (typical and atypical)
  • 2. Breast surgery
  • 4. Maternal anatomical challenges
  • 6. Nipple structure and variations

III. Pathology 

• B. Maternal
  • 8. Nipple and breast conditions

VI. Techniques

• A. Effective milk transfer (including medically-indicated supplementation)
• D. Managing supply
• E. Milk expression (e.g., pumping, hand expression, leakage)

VII. Clinical Skills

• B. Education and Communication
  • 4. Educating mothers and families
  • 7. Empowerment

Do we offer CEUs? Need other types of accreditation? Please see our Accreditation FAQ for more information.

Administration

1. This course is self-directed and unfacilitated.
2. The course is available as a one-month subscription, commencing on the day of notification of your username and password.
3. The subscription time is cumulative - for example, if you purchase 8 courses - you receive 8 months' access to all 8 courses.
4. The subscription time may be extended by purchasing extensions, but they must be purchased before the subscription expiry date.
5. The average time taken to complete this course and the assessment is 4 hours.
6. On successful completion, your Certificate will be available to you in pdf format from the course website.
7. 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.

Fees and Payments

• Enrollments are accepted online or upon receipt of an emailed enrollment form (limited special request).
• Payments online are available via credit cards through either Nuvei or PayPal gateways.
• The cost is US $49.00 per course.
• 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.