Professional Education in Breastfeeding and Lactation

A Five Day Course
*Can also be taught in two 3-day sessions.

Day Two Objectives & Agenda

8am - 6:30pm

At the end of this session you are able to:

1. Discuss the importance of professional certification.
2. List three benefits of human milk for human infants.
3. List two possible consequences of supplementing babies with breastmilk substitutes.
4. List two marketing tactics used by the commercial baby food industries.
5. Identify the special needs of babies born at 34-38 weeks gestation.
6. Describe the process for evaluating a baby who is having difficulty with latch and positioning.
7. Explain causes, symptoms and treatments for two breast conditions (Sore nipples, engorgement) encountered by breastfeeding mothers.
8. List two key points for effective communication with the BF mother.

Day Two Content

Questions and Answers on Initials, Titles, Credentials, Certification

• What is an IBCLC
• Value in certification and how to do it
• Supporting your professional organization - ILCA
• Confusion of unofficial titles and initials
• Meaning of the Lactation Educator Track

The Wonders of Human Milk

• Human milk and the immune system
• Species-specificity of mammal milks
• Confirmed benefits of breastfeeding for mother and baby
• Outcomes of Breastfeeding vs. Formula Feeding
• Components of human milk
• Comparisons of human milk/cow milk/goat milk

World-wide Influence of Formula Marketing

• Marketing tactics
• Healthcare professionals as marketing agents
• Community education
• Pseudoscience used in marketing
• International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes
• Caring for the family that needs to or chooses to formula feed

Near Term/Late Preterm

• Innovative care
• Preventing problems
• Evaluating hospital practices
• Guidelines for feeding

Early Clinical Challenges in Breastfeeding

• Baby won't/can't latch
• Craniofacial problems
• Oral assessment
• What to look for
• Nipple pain
• Engorgement

Communicating Effectively With New Mothers

• Listening skills
• Frequently encountered case studies
• "Mothers choice"/"other's choice" vs. "Best Practice"
• Preserving breastfeeding

Course Objectives, Agenda, & Content

The Lactation Educator Track is no longer optional. All participants will complete the entire course, including the requirements for the Lactation Educator.

<< back to overview