GOALS

The goals of this certificate course are:

1. To introduce the learner to the field of infant feeding practices more specifically to breastfeeding.
2. To provide learners with experiences in the classroom and in the clinical areas that result in the development of basic competencies required for lactation counseling.
3. To provide the learner with competencies that are prerequisites to Nurses involved in Maternal and Child health care which is an additional qualification in their career.
4. To provide learners who have completed the course with the opportunities to update their skills.

Course Outcomes

After completion of the course, the candidates will be able to

1. Provide counseling to antenatal mothers on breastfeeding
2. Competent in the lactation skills, knowledge, and attitudes that are essential to help mothers
3. Provide hands-on breastfeeding support
4. Facilitate breastfeeding support groups

Advocate exclusive breastfeeding in the community and public health realm

LENGTH OF PROGRAM

The curriculum is divided into units, which include objectives and suggested content. The program must be a minimum of 52 hours over a period of three months.

40 hours of didactic lectures which will include PowerPoint presentations, video demonstrations. 12 hours for practical sessions in the antenatal and postnatal wards and in the OPD of Pediatrics& Obstetrics.

A minimum of two courses is being planned in one academic year.

10 – 15 candidates can be enrolled for each schedule.

The lectures will include the following topics

• Introduction & current breastfeeding practice situation
• Optimal feeding for newborns
• Anatomical and physiological aspects of Breastmilk
• Hospital practices and BFHI
• Breast conditions
• Breastfeeding positioning
• Taking a breastfeeding history
• Assessing a breastfeed
• Expression of breastmilk
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills
• Building confidence and giving support
• Infection Control
• Counselling mothers in different situations
• Counseling practice in HIV positive mothers
• Breastfeeding for working women
• Kangaroo mother care
• Relactation
• Special aids to assist breastfeeding
• Nutrition for lactating mothers
• Fertility issues while breastfeeding
• Refusal to feed and crying
• Not enough milk
• Feeding during illness and recovery

The practical sessions will include

• Breast examination
• Newborn examination
• Observing a breastfeeding session
• Application of LATCH score
• Listening and learning exercises
• Building confidence and giving support to mothers
• Assessment of growth
• Growth monitoring with growth charts

All the learners will receive

1. Handouts of the contents of all classes in English
2. A photo booklet comprising of colour illustrative photos which they can use while giving counseling to mothers

Course scheduling and Credits

40 hours of didactic lectures which will include PowerPoint presentations, video demonstrations. 12 hours for practical sessions in the antenatal and postnatal wards and in the OPD of Pediatrics& Obstetrics.

Total three (3) Credits

Evaluation Information:

The final exam consists of two parts: skills and written exam.

A. Skills: 1. The learner will demonstrate performance in a professional manner using appropriate communication and respect for mothers’ rights.

2. Learner will achieve 100% on skills in order to pass. Unprofessional, unsafe, or abusive behavior in testing will constitute a failure of the test.

B. Written/Oral: Learner will achieve a minimum of 80% on the written exam.