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EP05: Scientific Significance of Breastmilk
Breastfeeding confers health benefits to infants. Each unique component of breastmilk provides specific nutritional and immunological advantage
Breastmilk biochemistry and microbiota, immunological protection, allergy prevention, and the health benefits of breastfeeding are central to this course, with focused content on cow’s milk allergy and clinical implications for infant feeding.
Course Learning Outcomes
- Critically analyse neonatal immune system development and bacterial translocation to evaluate protective mechanisms conferred through breastfeeding.
- Critically analyse breastmilk composition and bioactive components to evaluate their roles in infant growth, immune development, and long-term health outcomes.
- Critically assess how breastmilk components modulate immune development and microbiota to reduce infection, allergy, and chronic disease risk in infancy.
- Investigate breastmilk's dynamic immunological responses to evaluate adaptive mechanisms that protect against infection and support immune maturation.
- Interpret preterm breastmilk's adaptive composition to analyse its role in supporting immune protection, neurodevelopment, and growth in premature infants.
IBLCE® Detailed Content Outline
Every module maps directly to the IBLCE® Detailed Content Outline, building your knowledge progressively from foundational science through to clinical application.
This course covers the following IBLCE® DCO items. The applicable Lactation (L), Ethics (E) and Related (R) hours are shown against each heading.
A. Infant
B. Maternal
A. Infant
1. Feeding behaviours at different ages
2. Food intolerances/allergies
3. Infant anatomy and anatomical/oral challenges
4. WHO guidelines for introducing complementary foods
5. Low birth weight and very low birth weight
6. Milk banking - formal and informal
7. Normal infant behaviours
8. Nutritional requirements - including preterm
9. Preterm development, growth, and behaviours (including late preterm)
10. Skin tone, muscle tone, reflexes
11. Term development and growth
12. WHO growth charts with gestational age adjustment
13. Stooling and voiding
B. Maternal
1. Breast development and growth (typical and atypical)
2. Breast surgery
3. Composition of human milk
4. Maternal anatomical challenges
5. Maternal nutritional status
6. Nipple structure and variations
7. Nipple modifications (e.g., piercings, tattoos)
Course Content
Welcome
Recommended Readings
Handbook - Scientific Contribution of Breastmilk
Additional Resources
Module Learning Outcomes - Foundations of Immunology
Introduction
Immunological Systems
Immunological Translocation
#1 Quiz - Immunological Systems, Immunological Translocation
Self Directed Learning Activity - Immunological Systems
#2 Quiz - Immunological Systems
Self Directed Learning Activity - Immunological Translocation
#3 Quiz - Immunological Translocation
Module Learning Outcomes - Breastmilk Components
Introduction
What's in Breastmilk?
Breastmilk Biota
#4 Quiz - What's in Breastmilk? Breastmilk Biota
Self Directed Learning Activity - Breastmilk Components
#5 Quiz - Breastmilk Components
Self Directed Learning Activity - Breastmilk Immunoglobulinome
#6 Quiz - Immunoglobulinome
Self Directed Learning Activity - Breastfeeding Over Time
#7 Quiz - Breastfeeding Over Time
Self Directed Learning Activity - Preterm and Term Breastmilk
#8 Quiz - Preterm and Term Breastmilk
Module Learning Outcomes - Breastmilk Immunoprotection
Introduction
Self Directed Learning Activity - Allergy Protection
#9 Quiz - Allergy Protection
Self Directed Learning Activity - Cow's Milk Protein Allergy
#10 Quiz - Cow's Milk Protein Allergy
Self Directed Learning Activity - Health Benefits of Breastfeeding
#11 Quiz - Health Benefits of Breastfeeding
#12 Holistic Quiz