Breastfeeding Curriculum

Your learners will understand the anatomy of the breast, the physiology of lactogenesis, and the challenges of breastfeeding.

Goal A

Learners will understand the anatomy of the breast, the physiology of lactogenesis, and the normal breastfeeding patterns.

Learner Objectives

1. Describe the anatomy and physiology of lactation.
   
   

Goal B

Learners will understand the current recommendations, benefits, and impact of breastfeeding, and special considerations.

Learner Objectives

1. Identify risks of not breastfeeding for infants, mothers, and society.
2. Describe breastfeeding recommendations and the importance of exclusive breastfeeding.
3. Describe the epidemiology of breastfeeding with a focus on equity
   
   

Goal C

Learners will understand normal growth patterns of breastfed infants, contraindications to breastfeeding, and importance of breastfeeding care.

Your learners will understand the clinical management of breastfeeding in the early days.

Learner Objectives

1. Describe early weight trajectory and growth patterns of breastfed infants.
2. Describe signs of adequate milk intake by the infant.
3. List absolute contraindications to breastfeeding

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Goal A

Learners will be able to educate families about breastfeeding.

Learner Objectives

The learner should be able to counsel families about:

1. Setting personal breastfeeding goals, stages of lactogenesis, patterns of breastfeeding, introduction of complementary solids, and weaning
2. Parental nutrition during lactation (including the role of vitamin D or other nutritional supplements, as clinically indicated)
3. Maintaining breastfeeding during separation, milk expression, safe storage of human milk, feeding multiples
4. Infant growth patterns using WHO growth standards during well child visits
5. Parental medication use during lactation
6. Family planning and the potential impact on breastfeeding
7. Safe sleep practices

Goal B

Learners will be able to provide peripartum breastfeeding support for routine care and common problems.

Learner Objectives

1. Obtain a relevant past medical history for breastfeeding parents and infants
2. Perform a breast assessment and learn conditions that may impact milk supply
3. Facilitate skin-to-skin care in the delivery room or operating room and assist with the first feeding as needed
4. Perform infant oral assessment, and evaluate breastfeeding latch, attachment, and effective infant suckling and feeding patterns
5. Evaluate parental infections and potential risk of transmission to the breastfed infant
6. Develop management plans incorporating the use of expressed human milk or pasteurized donor human milk when clinically appropriate after monitoring for delayed lactogenesis, inadequate milk production or insufficient milk transfer, and implement supplementation when medically necessary (including adoptive parents)

Goal C

Learners will recognize and be able to address breastfeeding challenges and special situations after discharge and throughout infancy.

Learner Objectives

1. Identify common causes of breast pain
2. Evaluate and manage infants with poor weight gain
3. Assess for ankyloglossia and identify options for management
4. Evaluate and manage neonatal hypoglycemia and jaundice in a manner that supports breastfeeding and support breastfeeding in special circumstances (e.g., prematurity, congenital anomalies, cleft lip/palate, congenital heart disease, Trisomy 21, etc.).
5. Evaluate and manage breastfeeding in breastfeeding parents and infants in cases of parental recreational or illicit drug use history

Goal D

Learners will understand the unique needs of LGBTQ+ families as it relates to infant feeding.

Learner Objectives

1. Describe breastfeeding and chestfeeding in gender diverse/gender expansive families
2. Provide culturally sensitive and inclusive patient care to LGBTQ+ families through the life course

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Goal A

Learners will be able to coordinate services with other professionals, laypersons, and community groups, consistent with an interprofessional and team-based approach to care.

Learner Objectives

1. Identify and coordinate care with local community support groups or resources to support breastfeeding families
2. Describe the roles of lactation support specialists and other members of the health care team in caring for breastfeeding mothers and infants
3. Facilitate coordination of care follow-up visits for breastfeeding mothers and infants
4. Identify the most common reasons to refer breastfeeding mothers and infants for expert assistance when needed

Goal B

Learners will support and advocate for health systems and engagement strategies which promote and support breastfeeding as the cultural norm within the medical community and the community at large.

Learner Objectives

1. Research current laws protecting breastfeeding and identify opportunities to advocate for legislative policy changes
2. Investigate how different racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds can bring strengths and support systems in terms of breastfeeding
3. Identify the structural barriers to breastfeeding success that contribute to disparities in breastfeeding initiation and duration. Suggest strategies to overcome those barriers.
4. Describe how racism and implicit bias by healthcare providers impacts breastfeeding success for Black, Hispanic, Indigenous, and people of color.

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Goal A

Learners will educate themselves and others about breastfeeding .

Learner Objectives

1. Participate in the development of educational materials on breastfeeding.

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Goal A

Learners will communicate effectively with patients, families, and other medical providers regarding breastfeeding.

Learner Objectives

1. Practice communication skills about the topic of breastfeeding.

Goal B

Learners will understand the concept of cultural humility and how to provide culturally effective breastfeeding care.

Learner Objectives

1. Practice communication skills about the topic of breastfeeding.

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