- Lesson 1 | Breast is “Norm” 30min
- Lesson 2 | Structure & Function 20min
- Lesson 3 | Breastfeeding Supportive Measures 50min
- Lesson 4 | Factors Affecting Breastfeeding 1h 20min
Breastfeeding 101 for Medical Professionals
Breastfeeding 101 for Medical Professionals
Featured Review
Description
It is within the scope of some medical professionals to support women during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Breastfeeding is one of the most powerful medicines we can provide our children and, thus, it is essential that primary care physicians have a basic and evidence-based understanding of lactation and lactation medicine.
In this 3-hour online course, medical professionals will be given a foundation of knowledge related to breastfeeding so that patients can be better informed and supported. The science of lactation will be discussed including anatomy and physiology. The course also describes what the principles are of a good latch, how positioning affects milk transfer from the breast (including videos), how to know a baby is getting enough milk, naturopathic tips for common breastfeeding concerns, and when to refer to a lactation consultant.
Learning Objectives
- To better understand the benefits of breastfeeding and risks of formula feeding
- To understand the structure and function of the mammary gland as it relates to lactation
- To understand how to promote breastfeeding friendly practices to their patients
- To recognize the principles of good latching and positioning
- To understand what it looks like when a baby is latched to the breast and drinking as opposed to latched but not transferring milk
- To understand some common concerns that arise with breastfeeding and learn some naturopathic remedies that may help
- To understand when referral to a Lactation Consultant is necessary
Course Content
Instructor
Laura's passion for the environment, global health, and maternal and newborn care led her down her path to become a Naturopathic Doctor and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). After completing a Bachelors degree in psychology, she went on study Naturopathic Medicine at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM) in Toronto. It was during that time she was introduced to Dr. Jack Newman's International Breastfeeding Centre and the amazing work they do to help families achieve their breastfeeding goals. Realizing Lactation medicine was the missing piece she was looking for in her training and understanding the value of qualified lactation support, she decided to enroll and complete the necessary steps to become an IBCLC.
Laura’s clinical focus in her private practice is with families in the postpartum period, supporting their transition into parenthood, guiding them with feeding support, and promoting infant mental health. She has done extra training in the areas of infant mental health and infant sleep which comes up frequently with her patients. She teaches online with BeboMia in their Breastfeeding Educator Certification and also runs short continuing education courses for Naturopathic Doctors. Laura loves to explore the world and currently calls Toronto home where she lives with her husband and their two young children. She sees patients part-time and volunteers as a Technical Advisor with Nurture Project International who support safe infant feeding in refugee and IDP camps.
Continuing Education Approvals
Canadian Federation of Aromatherapists (CFA)
1.5 CEUs total (up to 1.5 CEUs Category B) -Direct ApprovalCollege of Naturopaths of Ontario (CONO)
3 credits total (up to 3 credits Category A) -Direct ApprovalNew Hampshire Association of Naturopathic Doctors (NHAND)
3 CEUs total (up to 3 CEUs General, up to 3 CEUs Childbirth) -Direct ApprovalVermont Office of Professional Regulation (VT OPR)
3.0 hours total (up to 3.0 hours General, up to 3.0 hours Naturopathic Childbirth) -Direct ApprovalAlliance of International Aromatherapists (AIA)
1.5 CPDs total (up to 1.5 CPDs Category B) -Assumed ApprovalArizona Naturopathic Physicians Medical Board (AZ NPMB)
3 CMEs total (up to 3 CMEs General) -Assumed ApprovalCollege of Naturopathic Doctors of Alberta (CNDA)
3 continuing competence credits total -Assumed ApprovalCollege of Naturopathic Physicians of British Columbia (CNPBC)
3 hours total (up to 3 hours Category C - Educational Courses) -Assumed ApprovalCollege of Naturopaths of Ontario (CONO)
3 credits total (up to 3 credits Category B) -Assumed ApprovalColorado Office of Naturopathic Doctor Registration (CO ONDR)
3 PDAs total -Assumed ApprovalConnecticut Department of Public Health: Naturopathic Physician Licensure (CT DPH: NPL)
3 hours total -Assumed ApprovalCouncil for Homeopathic Certification (CHC)
3 CEUs total (up to 3 CEUs Category 2) -Assumed ApprovalDistrict of Columbia Health Regulation and Licensing Administration (DC HRLA)
3 hours total -Assumed ApprovalHawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Professional & Vocational Licensing (HI DCCA)
3 CEs total (up to 3 CEs General) -Assumed ApprovalIdaho Board of Medicine: Naturopathic Medical Board (ID BOM: NMB)
3 hours total (up to 3 hours General) -Assumed ApprovalKansas State Board of Healing Arts (KS SBHA)
3 CEUs total -Assumed ApprovalMaine Board of Complementary Health Care Providers (ME BCHCP)
3 hours total (up to 3 hours General) -Assumed ApprovalManitoba Naturopathic Association (MNA)
3 hours total (up to 3 hours Category B) -Assumed ApprovalMaryland Board of Physicians (MD BP)
3 hours total -Assumed ApprovalMinnesota Board of Medical Practice (MN BMP)
3 contact hours total (up to 3 contact hours General) -Assumed ApprovalMontana Board of Alternative Health Care (MT BAHC)
3 hours total (up to 3 hours General, up to 3 hours Obstetrics) -Assumed ApprovalNorth Dakota Board of Integrative Health Care (ND BIHC)
3 credits total (up to 3 credits General) -Assumed ApprovalRhode Island Department of Health: Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline (RI DOH: BMLD)
3 hours total -Assumed ApprovalSaskatchewan Association of Naturopathic Practitioners (SANP)
3 hours total (up to 3 hours Category C) -Assumed ApprovalUtah Naturopathic Physician Licensing Board (UT NPLB)
3 CEs total (up to 3 CEs General) -Assumed ApprovalWashington State Department of Health: Board of Naturopathy (WA DOH: BON)
3 hours total (up to 3 hours Category 2) -Assumed Approval
Frequently Asked Questions
When you purchase a course, you get lifetime access! So you can watch it forever...and ever...and ever...and ever...and ever... and again, if you'd like!
Absolutely! You have lifetime access to the course. Watch it a million times if you like! All you need to do after you complete a course is head to the "My Courses" page —> "Completed Courses" tab → and click "Watch Again."
Immediately! Your certificate will be available as soon as you complete your course and leave a review! The certificate is a shiny PDF and, by default, automatically comes to you via email after you complete a course. You can also download and print straight from the website on your My Certificates page!
This course is pre-recorded so that you can access it at any time and work on it at your own pace.

This course includes:
- 3 hours on-demand video
- 7 downloadable resources
- Full lifetime access
- Certificate of completion (PDF)
- Certificate available immediately
- CEs / PDAs as outlined