Here are the full details of what happens in each day of the Breastfeeding Specialist Course.

STUDY DAY CONTENT

Each day (except #6) comprises 4 x 1.5 hour sessions plus a half hour final review:

 

#10 EXPLORING THE IDEA OF BECOMING A LACTATION CONSULTANT

  • The role of the IBCLC
  • Becoming qualified (eligibility, costs, syllabus)
  • Study skills: strategies to help a busy person, and make it less scary!
  • Plenary: personal goals and planning
  • Ten questions to test recall, understanding and application of the day's learning, followed by discussion.
  • 1.5 L (Lactation) CERPs
  • Optional graded homework worth 3.25 L (Lactation) CERPs

 

#1 TROUBLESHOOTING POSITIONING AND ATTACHMENT PROBLEMS 

  • Teaching the theory and practicalities of good positioning and attachment to mothers and colleagues through the use of hands-off techniques.
  • Observing and assessing a breastfeed in order to improve P&A. Skills practice.
  • Exploring nipple problems and nipple shields.
  • Helping the baby who is reluctant to latch on.
  • Ten questions to test recall, understanding and application of the day's learning, followed by discussion.
  • 6.5 L (Lactation) CERPs
  • Optional graded homework worth 5.25 L (Lactation) CERPs

 

#2 PARENTING PHILOSOPHIES AND RELATIONSHIPS IMPACTING BREASTFEEDING

  • Kangaroo Mother Care, not just for premature babies.
  • Postnatal depression, treatment options and breastfeeding.
  • Two contrasting popular childcare philosophies and their impact on the breastfeeding families with whom we work.
  • Breastfeeding and sexuality.
  • Ten questions to test recall, understanding and application of the day's learning, followed by discussion.
  • 6.5 L (Lactation) CERPs
  • Optional graded homework worth 5.25 L (Lactation) CERPs

 

#3 CHALLENGES OF BREASTFEEDING BEYOND THE NEWBORN PERIOD

  • Poor weight gain/not enough milk (double session lasts all morning). 
  • Mastitis (blocked ducts, bacterial infections and thrush).
  • Breastfeeding beyond babyhood and strategies for ending breastfeeding.
  • Ten questions to test recall, understanding and application of the day's learning, followed by discussion.
  • 6.5 L (Lactation) CERPs
  • Optional graded homework worth 5.25 L (Lactation) CERPs

 

#4 SKILLS FOR COUNSELLING THE BREASTFEEDING MOTHER

  • Adopting the counselling role when helping with breastfeeding.
  • Counselling skills: the basics
  • Counselling skills: putting it all together.
  • Counselling strategies to suit the client's stage of maternal role acquisition.
  • Ten questions to test recall, understanding and application of the day's learning, followed by discussion.
  • 6.5 L (Lactation) CERPs
  • Optional graded homework worth 3.5 L (Lactation) CERPs

 

#5 BREASTFEEDING IN DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES

  • Combining work and breastfeeding.
  • Breastfeeding after breast reduction surgery.
  • The diabetic mother and breastfeeding.
  • The premature baby and breastfeeding.
  • Ten questions to test recall, understanding and application of the day's learning, followed by discussion.
  • 6.5 L (Lactation) CERPs
  • Optional graded homework worth 5.25 L (Lactation) CERPs

 

#7 FACILITATING FANTASTIC BREASTFEEDING GROUPS AND CLASSES

  • Creating, evaluating and maintaining successful groups.
  • Teaching really useful antenatal breastfeeding classes.
  • Writing plans for antenatal classes.
  • Handling 'heart-sink moments' and challenging people in our groups.
  • Ten questions to test recall, understanding and application of the day's learning, followed by discussion.
  • 6.5 L (Lactation) CERPs
  • Optional graded homework worth 3 L (Lactation) CERPs

 

#8 ETHICAL ISSUES IN LACTATION

  • Ethical theories, principles and implication for those who work in lactation.
  • Initiatives that impact breastfeeding.
  • Choice, influence and responsibility in infant feeding.
  • Ethical dilemmas in our everyday work.
  • Ten questions to test recall, understanding and application of the day's learning, followed by discussion.
  • 6.5 E (Ethics) CERPs
  • Optional graded homework worth 3 E (Ethics) CERPs
  • PLEASE NOTE: This is the Study Day for you if seeking to fulfil the requirement for recertifying IBCLCs to have evidence of at least 5 hours of education that addresses professional ethics. Also suitable for initial IBLCE candidates.

 

#9 BREASTFEEDING PEER SUPPORT: REALISING POTENTIAL AND AVOIDING PITFALLS

  • Exploring the philosophy of breastfeeding peer support programmes and training.
  • Examining the evidence on the benefits of peer support.
  • Getting the most from our Breastfeeding Peer Supporters (including a model for a Peer Supporter - led antenatal session with the pregnant woman and her 'significant other' in their own home.)
  • Finding creative solutions to the challenges arising in our peer support programmes.
  • Ten questions to test recall, understanding and application of the day's learning, followed by discussion.
  • 6.5 L(Lactation) CERPs
  • Optional graded homework worth 3.75 L (Lactation) CERPs

 

#11 BREASTFEEDING CLINICS AND CONSULTATIONS

  • Running a breastfeeding clinic.
  • Consultations, both the common and the challenging.
  • Doing the detective work / problem solving in a consultation.
  • Consultations by phone, email or for a fee.
  • Ten questions to test recall, understanding and application of the day's learning, followed by discussion.
  • 6.5 L (Lactation) CERPs
  • Optional graded homework worth 4.5 L (Lactation) CERPs

 

#12 BREASTFEEDING AND FOOD

  • Obesity and breastfeeding
  • Mother's diet and breastfeeding
  • Allergies and the breastfeeding family
  • Introducing solid foods
  • Ten questions to test recall, understanding and application of the day's learning, followed by discussion.
  • 6.5 L(Lactation) CERPs
  • Optional graded homework worth 4.5 L (Lactation) CERPs

 

#6 MOCK LACTATION CONSULTANT EXAM AND REVISION STRATEGIES

  • The conduct of the IBLCE exam - (0.5 hours)
  • Mock exam based on the 13 Disciplines and 12 Chronological Periods of the IBLCE Exam Blueprint - (2 hours)
  • Scoring the mock exam - (in lunch break)
  • The breastfeeding issues that arise from the exam - (2 hours)
  • Ways to tackle revision - (0.5 hours)
  • Clinical pictures - (1.5 hours)
  • 3.5 L(Lactation) CERPs
  • Optional graded homework worth 3.5 L (Lactation) CERPs
  • The day provides useful consolidation for those who have made good progress with revision, or helpful motivation for those who have yet to start!