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