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

Accreditation:

IBCLC: 12 L CERPs or 12 pre-exam education hours

12 CH

Recertification:

Detailed Content Outline domains:  I (a-1,3,7,10,11, b-1,4,6), III (a-1,2,6, b-2), V (B, E, I, L) VI (A, B, C, F, G, H), VI (a-3, b-2,3,4,7, c-2)

Tutor:

This course is facilitated by an experienced International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)

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

Prerequisites

• A good understanding of anatomy and physiology of lactation. Completion of BE02 Anatomy and Physiology of the Lactating Breast would be appropriate.
• An understanding of oral anatomy is recommended: the bones, muscles, and nerves of the face and mouth. A quality anatomy and physiology textbook would support your knowledge.
• Good observational skills
• The ability to listen to what the mother/lactating parent is saying, then apply evidence-based theory to the practical situation.
• A Mentor: This course will help you to learn the theory of good positioning and latch and give you practical tips. However, it is essential that you observe a competent practitioner assisting lactating families, and have that person observe your skills.

Syllabus

1. Introduction
2. Relevant anatomy for breast/chest feeding
   • Breast Anatomy
   • Infant Cranial Anatomy
3. Sharing the Skills
   • The feeding Environment
   • Good Positioning
   • Good Latch
4. Milk Transfer
   • Milk Ejection Reflex
   • Physics of Sucking
   • Factors affecting milk transfer: Infant
   • Factors affecting milk transfer: Mother/lactating parent
5. Infant feeding Consultation
   
   • Observation and Assessment
   • Feeding Assessment Tools
   • Feeding Consultation
6. Problems of Latch and Suck

Forum

An active forum, where topical issues may be raised, case studies discussed, questions posed and answered, links to additional information provided, etc, is facilitated by an experienced IBCLC and is an integral part of the course. Reading and participating in this forum will enhance your learning experience and that of your colleagues.

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 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

• Primary Author: Denise Fisher, MMP, BN, IBCLC; Co-author: Bridget Ingle, RN, IBCLC
• Reviewed by: Barbara Ash IBCLC Trudi Szallasi IBCLC
• Courses are reviewed annually as well as being updated as new information becomes available.
• Course review and updates by Melanie Gringras, BScN, IBCLC, and Carole Dobrich, B.Sc., RN, IBCLC 

Aim

The aim of this course is for you to learn the principals of good positioning that facilitate effective latch and milk transfer avoiding preventable feeding problems.

Objectives

On successful completion of this course you will be able to

• Describe the features of the lactating breast that facilitate and enhance milk transfer.
• List the cranial bones, cranial nerves and facial muscles of the infant relevant to breast/chest feeding.
• Describe the neurobehavior of the newborn infant that leads to breast/chest feeding.
• State the most important clinical practice that should be implemented immediately following birth.
• Describe comfortable positions that best facilitate infant feeding.
• Define the principles of infant positioning that facilitates breast/chestfeeding.
• List the sequence of actions that lead to correct latch.
• Describe the placement of the nipple-areola complex in relation to the infant's tongue and oral cavity.
• List the individual roles of the mother/lactating parent and the infant in milk transfer.
• Describe the neurohormonal sequence of the milk ejection reflex.
• Describe the sequence of events in the suck cycle.
• List infant causes of poor latch and causes of un-coordinated suck and how to recognize them.
• Describe reasons causing poor milk transfer in terms of anatomy and milk ejection.
• Describe 3 observational stages employed during a feeding consultation.
• Demonstrate to a mentor how to teach a mother/lactating parent to position and latch their infant correctly themself
• Recognize when and why problems of latching and suck are occurring and describe the process

Assessment

Achievement of the learning objectives is assessed by automatically graded, online, multiple-choice questions. A passing grade is 85%.

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

On successfully completing this course you will be able to download, save and print your Certificate of Completion. Your Certificate will note ongoing education accreditation points.

Accreditation

On successful completion of this course you will be awarded:

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

For IBLCE examination preparation this course provides 12 pre-exam education hours.

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

I. Development and Nutrition

• A. Infant
  • 1. Feeding behaviours at different ages
  • 3. Infant anatomy and anatomical/oral challenges
  • 7. Normal infant behaviours
  • 10. Skin tone, muscle tone, reflexes
  • 11. Term development and growth
• B. Maternal
  • 1. Breast development and growth (typical and atypical)
  • 4. Maternal anatomical challenges
  • 6. Nipple structure and variations

III. Pathology

• A. Infant
  • 1. Ankyloglossia
  • 2. Cleft lip and palate

  • 6. Infant neurological disabilities

• B. Maternal

  • 2. Milk ejection reflex dysfunction

V. Psychology, Sociology, and Anthropology 

•  B.  Birth practices
•  E. Family lifestyle 
•  I. Breastfeeding dyad relationship

• L. Cultural awareness

VI. Techniques

• A. Effective milk transfer (including medically-indicated supplementation
• B. First hour 
• C. Latching (attaching)
• F. Positioning of the breastfeeding dyad (hands-off)
• G. Refusal of breast, bottle
• H. Skin-to-skin (Kangaroo care)

VII. Clinical Skills

• A. Equipment and Technology
  • 3. Nipple devices (e.g., shields, everters)
• B. Education and Communication

  • 2. Anticipatory guidance

  • 3. Care plan development and sharing
  • 4. Educating mothers and families
  • 7. Empowerment
• C. Ethical and Legal Issues
  • 2. Clinical competencies

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

Administration

1. This course is facilitated by an experienced International Board Certified Lactation Consultant.
2. The course is available as a one-month subscription commencing on the day of notification to you 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 must be purchased before the subscription expiry date.
5. The average time taken to complete this course and the assessment is 12 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 a faxed or mailed enrollment form (available on request).
• Payments online are available via credit cards through either PSiGate or PayPal gateways.
• The cost is US$135.00 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.