The Breastfeeding supporter training
Day 1: Thursday
- Welcome and introductions.
- The composition of breast milk compared with artificial substitutes, and risks of formula feeding, including:
-The differences between breast milk and formula,
-The value of colostrum,
-Current recommendations regarding the duration of exclusive breastfeeding. - Anatomy and physiology of lactation, including:
-Developmental changes to the breasts,
-Hormonal control of lactation,
-The importance of early frequent feeding or expression of breast milk,
-The fat gradient in a breastfeed,
-Implications of various feeding practices (scheduled feeds / night feeds / use of dummies / supplementation with formula. - The importance of non-judgemental communication
Day 2: Friday Eevening
- Effective positioning and attachment, including:
-Effective attachment and sucking pattern during a normal feed,
-The suck/swallow cycle and how milk is transferred,
-Positioning for effective attachment,
-Teaching these principles to new mothers. - Hand expression of breast milk, including:
-Why it is important to teach all breastfeeding mothers to hand express,
-Technique, including promoting the oxytocin reflex,
-Teaching hand expression to new mothers.
Day 3: Saturday
- Skin-to-skin contact and the immediate newborn period, including:
-Adaptation at birth from interuterine to extrauterine life,
-Benefits of skin-to-skin contact immediately following birth, and later,
-The impact of events during labour and birth on breastfeeding,
-How to support breastfeeding when skin-to-skin has been delayed. - Promoting best practice, including:
-Keeping mothers and babies together,
-Demand/baby-led/responsive feeding - Overcoming common early breastfeeding problems, including:
-Sore nipples,
-Engorgement,
-Perceived insufficient milk supply,
-Reluctant early feeders,
-Babies needing special care (premature/sick)
-Twins or more.
Day 4: Sunday
- Supporting breastfeeding (continuing beyond the early days), including:
-Biological nurturing,
-Blocked ducts and mastitis,
-Thrush,
-Breast refusal,
-Support from family, friends, community groups and health care professionals. - Weaning and continuation of breastfeeding beyond 6 months, including:
-Safe co-sleeping - Baby friendly initiative (BFI) and the international code:
-A brief outline - Safe bottle feeding:
-Important points - Summary, including:
-Evaluation,
-Next steps,
-Close.
There is a distance module to complete before the beginning of course. After completion of the training there will be a reflection module and an open book exam leading to certification.
This course is open to all. It is also a requirement for those who have completed the Fundamentals and want to work as postnatal doulas.
The course starts at 9am on Thursday and end at 5pm on Sunday. Please note : The Friday session will be from 6.30 to 9.30pm. No daytime session.
Certificate
You will be awarded your Breastfeeding Supporter certificate on satisfactory completion of the following:
- attending all teaching sessions. If you have to miss a session, arrangements need to be made to catch up.
- completing and submitting the various assignments and homework required including the open book exam and two case studies.
- a satisfactory report from you mentor/trainer.
Schedules
There will not be a breastfeeding training in 2019 as I am focusing on a new project very close to my heart.
The course starts at 9am on Thursday and end at 4.00pm on Sunday.
Please note: The Friday session will be from 6.30 to 9.30pm. No daytime session.
Fees
In full: £330
Early booking discount: – £40If there is a financial need:
Non returnable deposit of £300 and instalments.
Course Packages
Fundamentals and Breastfeeding training: £1100
Early booking discount: – £100If there is a financial need:
Non returnable deposit of £300 and instalments.
