Breast development begins in utero and continues throughout a woman's life. The microenvironment where breast tissue is located has a complex biological relationship with hormones. The content of this course explores the development of the breast from embryology through pregnancy, lactation, lactational involution and menopause. Anatomy & physiology, growth and development, and influences of hormones are key components of this course.
Course Information
This course is equivalent to 10 hours of learning. The course is one of thirteen (13) courses that make up the Lactation Consultant Examination Preparation (Exam Prep - EP) program. Courses in the Exam Prep program may be studied as an individual course based on your interest or education requirements.
The completed 10 hours can be used as:
- Comprehensive education related to the lactation specific content for the IBLCE® examination eligibility.
- Continuing Education Recognition Points (CERPs) for recertifying International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC®s) and/or
- Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for medical officers, midwives, nurses, and allied health professionals.
Detailed Content Outline
This course has been intentionally designed to align with the current IBLCE Detailed Content Outline (DCO) and to prepare candidates comprehensively for the IBCLC certification examination.
The DCO addressed in this course:
- I. Development and Nutrition [2 hours of lactation (L) specific content]
- II. Physiology and Endocrinology [2 hour of lactation (L) specific content]
- III. Pathology [2 hours of lactation (L) specific content]
- IV. Pharmacology and Toxicology [1 hours of lactation (L) specific content]
- V. Psychology, Sociology, and Anthropology [3 hours of lactation (L) specific content]
*The 10 hours are calculated on completion of the essential course content - Additional Resources materials are supplementary and therefore not included in the 10 hours.
Broad Aims of the Course
The broad aims for this course are:
- Enhance your understanding of the function and structure of the breast through embryology, puberty, pregnancy and lactation.
- Review the influencing factors for growth and development of the breast
- Explore the endocrinology of the breast
Access Time
- Courses are open for 30 days from the time of activation.
- You activate the course when you have the time and motivation to commit to successfully completing the course.
- There is a discount if you purchase all 13 Exam Prep courses together - you can still activate the courses as you are ready.
- Each course will still only be open for 30 days
- Do not activate all 13 courses at once.
- Once you have completed the content within the course you will still have access to content for the duration of the purchased time.
Learning Resources
The course is inbuilt with video presentations, self-directed earning activities and quizzes in each section. There are:
- Downloadable resources
- Links to additional content
- Self-directed learning activities
- Handbook
Detailed Content Outline
This course covers the following items;
I. Development and Nutrition
B. Maternal here
1. Breast development and growth (typical and atypical)
4. Maternal anatomical challenges
6. Nipple structure and variations
II. Physiology and Endocrinology
A. Physiology of Lactation here
1. Relactation
2. Infertility issues
3. Inducing lactation
B. Endocrinology here
1. Hormonal influence of milk production
III. Pathology
B. Maternal here
8. Nipple and breast conditions
IV. Pharmacology and Toxicology
7. Galactagogues
V. Psychology, Sociology, and Anthropology
11. Weaning
VI. Techniques
4. Managing supply
VII. Clinical Skills
A. Equipment and Technology here
1. Feeding devices (e.g., tubes at breast, cups, syringes, teats, paladai)
B. Education and Communication here
6. Emotional support
Course Content Overview
Course Profile
Welcome
Recommended Readings
Handbook - Mammary Magnificence
Additional Resources
Module 1: Breast Development
Learning Outcomes
Introduction
Breasts: Embryogenesis
Breasts: Puberty & Menopause
Adult Female Breast
Quiz - Breast development
Self Directed Learning Activity - The Mammary Gland
Quiz - The Mammary Gland
Module 2: Form & Function
Learning Outcomes
Introduction
Secretory differentiation
Secretory activation
Lactation
Quiz - Secretory differential and activation
Self Directed Learning Activity - Hormonal regulation during lactation and breastmilk production
Quiz - Hormonal regulation during lactation and breastmilk production
Self Directed Learning Activity - Morphological, hormonal, and molecular changes in different tissues during lactation and post-lactation
Quiz - Morphological, hormonal, and molecular changes in different tissues during lactation and post-lactation
Module 3: Breast Adaptations
Learning Outcomes
Introduction
Lactational involution & suppression
Induced lactation & relactation
Breast variations
Quiz - Lactational involution & suppression, Induced lactation & relactation, Breast variations
Self Directed Learning Activity - Breast Anomalies
Quiz - Breast Anomalies
Self Directed Learning Activity - Lactational Involution
Quiz - Lactational Involution
Self Directed Learning Activity - Induced and Relactation
Quiz - Induced and Relactation
Holistic quiz
