Online Breastfeeding Course

Course Name and Number: N720 Human Lactation 3 credit hours*.

Email Dr. Riordan at jriordan@cox.net to find out how to register for the course. For information on Wichita State University and the School of Nursing visit the Wichita State University website.

Course Description

This on-line course is designed for the graduate student preparing for practice working with breastfeeding mothers and infants and/or as a lactation consultant. Undergraduate students are accepted on a case-by-case basis. Provides an in-depth focus on the anatomical and physiological basis of lactation and breastfeeding. Factors that impact maintenance of health during lactation and clinical decisions for disease prevention are explored using evidence-based criterion. Course addresses preparation for lactation consultant certification. Students work on case studies, participate in on-line discussions and take a final examination via the Internet. New content for IBLCE requirements E CERPS in ethics. This course uses Blackboard as the program software and content is updated every semester. Students have access to online articles in full text from Birth, JOGNN, and other well known journals through the University library.

Faculty Responsible for the Course: Jan Riordan EdD, ARNP, IBCLC, FAAN, Professor of Nursing

Course Objectives:

• Review fundamental anatomic, biologic, and physiologic concepts of lactation and breastfeeding.

• Describe epidemiologic trends, historical events and promotion programs related to breastfeeding and lactation.

• Promote and maintain healthy lifestyles for the breastfeeding dyad within a family system.

• Apply clinical decisions and teaching for selected health problems in the lactating woman and breastfed infant based upon knowledge of physiologic processes.

• Analyze evolving roles and ethical dilemmas for health care providers in advanced practice as a lactation consultant.

• Prepare for the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiner Examination.

*Starting Fall 2005, the course will be offered for 3 credits. The 2 credit option will be not be available.

Tuition

Graduate credit is $185.35 per credit hour. A 3 credit hour grad course is about $556 (plus $35 non-refundable fee). Undergrad credit is $136.30 per credit hour (plus $30 fee). If you have graduated from college you are a graduate student.

Learning Resources

Required text:

Riordan, Jan (2004). Breastfeeding and Human Lactation (3rd ed). Boston: Jones & Bartlett, Publications. Can be ordered at 800-832-0034 www.jbpub.com

Readings of selected journal articles (articles can be printed off from WSU library Electronic Resources). Students have access to MEDLINE and all major bibliographic databases for full text library searches

Expectations of Students

Students will use the Internet and need a computer that allows access to the internet and email. Students are expected to electronically, participate in class discussions, present clinical cases, take examinations send and receive e-mail messages. On-line quizzes are given approximately every two weeks. A final exam is given at the close of the course. Graduate students are expected to perform at a higher level than undergraduate students. Grades are calculated differently (See Graduate Grading Scale) for graduate students and some weekly assignments are leveled for graduate vs undergraduate work.

Students have the option of taking this course for 4 credit hours (60 CERPS). For the one-hour extra credit (15 CERPS), the student will develop a project or write a paper on a topic of their choosing that is related to breastfeeding/lactation.

Evaluation

Evaluation will partially be made on the basis of participation in class discussion, by making statements that reflect an attempt to understand and synthesize assigned readings; asking and clarifying questions from assigned readings; and applying physiological principles to clinical decisions.

Assessment of Student Achievement
Student grades will be computed using scores from the following:
Completion of weekly assignments
Clinical Case Care Plans
On-line quizzes and final examination
Overall class participation

Grading Scale Graduate Students
A - 93-100
B - 85-92
C - 77-84
D - 69-76

Grading Scale Undergraduate Students
A - 90-100
B - 80-89
C - 70-79
D - 60-69

Student Assessment of Course and Teacher: Students will evaluate the course using an on-line evaluation form.

*3 credit hours count for 45 CERPs for taking the International Lactation Consultant Examination.

Class Schedule

Class 1 - Getting Started: Overview, Introduction To The Course and to Each Other

Class 2 - Historical and Sociocultural and Ethical context of Breastfeeding
Reading: Chap 1 and Chap 24 class text

Class 3 -The Egg or the Chicken? Anatomy and Physiology of Lactation Part I
Reading: Text: Anatomy and Physiology: Chapter 3

Class 4 The Chicken or the Egg? Anatomy and Physiology of Lactation Part II

Class 5 -Biochemical Messages at Mom's Place: Biologic Specificity of Breastmilk
Reading:Text: Chapter 4: Biologic Specificity of Breastmilk

Class 6 - Prenatal, Perinatal and Intrapartum Care
Text: Chapter 7. Perinatal and Intrapartum Care

Class 7. Postpartum Care
Text: Chapter 8: Postpartum Care

Class 8 - Postpartum Concerns: Weight Gain, Jaundice and Hydration
Text: chaps 10 and 12

Class 9 - Complex Problems: Mastitis, Plugged Ducts, Candidiasis, Pain, Breast Surgery
Text: Chap 9: Breast-Related Problems

Class 10 - The Low Birth Weight Infant
Text: Chapter 13 Breastfeeding and the Pre-Term Infant

Class 11 -Viruses and Breastfeeding
Text: Chapter 6: Viruses in Human Milk

Class 12 - The Magic Bullet: Breastfeeding and Medications
Text: Chapter 5: Drug Therapy and breastfeeding

Class 13 - The Road Back: Dealing With Infants Who Are Not Gaining Well Text: Chapter 10: Low Milk Intake

Class 14 - Roles, Ethics, Employment Settings, Certification, Private Practice
Text: Chapter 2: Work Strategies

Class 15 - EXAM (Online)

4 hours credit

If you are taking four hours of credit in this course, you will need to do a final paper or a project. Directions for each are below.

PAPER: The purpose of this assignment is to write a paper on a topic related to breastfeeding/lactation that you are particularly interested in with the intent of publication.

The paper format and style can vary. You might consider writing a case study for your paper. Describing an actual case where you took care of a breastfeeding mother and baby with a specific problem can make a fine contribution to the lactation field. For an example, see the case study by Owens "Breastfeeding an infant after heart transplant surgery" which is published in the Journal of Human Lactation 18(1), 2002.

Another paper idea is an issue paper where you give the background and arguments for and against a current issue in lactation. Giving formula discharge packs is an example of an issue that always seems to generate interest.

Below is a sample format/outline you could use for a paper:

Title Page
Introduction
Body of Paper (10 pages)
Discussion (1 page)
Conclusion (1 page)
References (minimum 10 references)
Appendices (optional)

Use American Psychological Association (APA) style which is what is usually used in nursing. An example of the APA style is found in JOGNN. The easiest way to go is to open a JOGNN journal and copy the style used in the references at the end of articles.

The style in the class textbook is a modified version of APA. Feel free to use this style if you wish. The main thing is to be consistent to one style throughout the paper. If you are writing for a specific journal that does not use either one of these styles, use the style of that journal.

References from the internet are different than regular references. Here is an examples of how they should look.