Madriella Breastfeeding Educators are professional breastfeeding specialists that teach new mothers how to feed their baby. This course will prepare you to help women experiencing common breastfeeding problems like difficulty latching, painful nursing, and low milk production. Lactation Educators/Mentors often work in conjunction with Postpartum Doulas or in private practices of their own. They can be found helping women in hospitals, birth clinics and doctors offices where they provide both individual instruction and breastfeeding workshops.

This course is reserved for our Professional Members

Prerequisites: Madriella Birth Doula course, Madriella Postpartum Doula course, Madriella Professional Development Course

Course Requirements:
A working Internet connection
A computer or mobile device capable of:
a) Accessing the Internet
b) Uploading a written assignment/digital photo
c) Posting/reading messages in the forum

The first three courses – Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula and Professional Development are required as well before you can take this course.

Module 1 Breastfeeding Basics
Unit 1 Introduction Why breastfeeding is important  
Unit 2 Section 1. How breastfeeding protects her baby  
Unit 3 Section 2. How Breastfeeding benefits the mother's health  
Unit 4 Section 3. How breastfeeding can positively impact the mother’s life.  
Unit 5 Section 4. How breastfeeding benefits the mother’s community.  
Unit 6 The Anatomy of the Breast  
Unit 7 Section 1. Development of the Breast  
Unit 8 Section 2. Anatomical Structures  
Unit 9 The Science of Lactation  
Unit 10 Section 1: Hormonal influences  
Unit 11 Section 2: Stages of Lactogenesis  
Unit 12 Section 3: Secretory activation  
Unit 13 Section 4: Galactapoiesis  
Unit 14 Section 5: Milk ejection reflex  
Unit 15 Assignment #1“Why is breastfeeding important?”  
Module 2 Overcoming Obstacles to Breastfeeding
Unit 1 Physical Obstacles to Breastfeeding  
Unit 2 Section 1: Positioning challenges  
Unit 3 Section 2. Pain and Discomfort  
Unit 4 Section 3: Abnormalities of the breast  
Unit 5 Psychological Obstacles to Breastfeeding  
Unit 6 Section 1: Fears associated with breastfeeding  
Unit 7 Section 2: Beliefs and attitudes about breastfeeding.  
Unit 8 Cultural Barriers to Breastfeeding  
Unit 9 Returning to work  
Unit 10 Racial disparities in breastfeeding  
Unit 11 Dispelling the most common Myths  
Unit 12 Medical Barriers to Breastfeeding  
Unit 13 Assignment #2 “What are some of the most common challenges"  
Module 3 Breastfeeding and beyond
Unit 1 Maternal Nutrition, Fitness and Health  
Unit 2 Pumping and Storing Milk  
Unit 3 Assignment #3 “What is involved in (breast) pumping?”  
Unit 4 Final Examination