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Hospital Breastfeeding Policy Maternity Staff Training

These instructional modules were developed as a collaboration between International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) at the Maryland Department of Health (Amy Resnik, MS, RD, CSP, LDN, IBCLC, RLC) and the University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Medical Center (Laurie Miele, RN, BSN, IBCLC, RLC),under the guidance of the Maryland Department of Health, Hospital Breastfeeding Policy Committee. The modules are intended to provide education which prepares hospital maternity staff to create an environment that is aligned to meet both the Maryland Hospital Breastfeeding Policy Recommendations and the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative. These modules were developed to meet the requirements outlined in Step 2 of the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, developed by UNICEF/WHO.

Running times for each of the 15 training modules vary, however total time for each module is no longer than 1 hour. With completion of pre and post-tests, and discussion with the lactation educator at each facility, this training meets the 15 hour didactic training (at time of development) required of those seeking Baby Friendly designation. Please note that Module #9 is part of Breastfeeding Friendly Hospital Initiative but not Maryland Hospital Breastfeeding Policies, thus those seeking to meet the Maryland Hospital Breastfeeding Policies may opt to skip Module #9. Hospital staff can either complete the modules online here or can work with their hospital administrators to offer them for continuing education credits.

Materials can be made available to those wishing to use the presentation slides to teach the materials in a traditional classroom setting. Please contact Amy Resnik for more information.

Module #1 – Global Strategies

Module #2 – Communication Skills

Module #3 – Anatomy and Physiology: From Breast to Baby

Module #4 – Promoting Breastfeeding During Pregnancy

Module #5 – Birth Practices and Breastfeeding

Module #6 – Helping with Breastfeeding

Module #7 – Hospital Policies that Assist with Breastfeeding

Module # 8 – Milk Supply

Module # 9 – Supporting the Mother Who Feeds with Bottles and/or Infant Formula

Module # 10 – Infants and Mothers with Special Needs

Module # 11 – Breast and Nipple Concerns

Module # 12 – If the Baby Cannot Feed at the Breast

Module # 13 – Ongoing Support for Mothers

Module # 14 – Protecting Breastfeeding

Module # 15 – Assuring That Your Hospital is Supportive of Breastfeeding

If you have questions please contact the Maternal and Child Health Bureau at mdh.mchb@maryland.gov, and include “Breastfeeding” in the subject line.

At the completion of each module, the attendee will be able to print a page that indicates his/her post-test score for that module and the date the post-test was taken. The system will allow the attendee to add his/her name so that the printed verification page includes a name rather than an email address. Scores of at least 4 out of 5 are considered passing. Verification pages with passing scores are confirmation of successful completion of the respective module.