Opinto-opas

Objective

Goal is to acquire the knowledge and skills of breastfeeding and early interaction.
The studies lead to
-development of basic breastfeeding counsellor skills / competences in the delivery of health care services
-obtaining a sound foundation of knowledge concerning Breastfeeding (BF), early interaction and health promotion connected to human lactation.

Content

Normal start of breastfeeding and observing breastfeeding
Various education and teaching and evaluation methods for breastfeeding counselling and education regarding quality and effectiveness as well as development of clinical breastfeeding counselling skills on client service, education and teaching
Early interaction and counseling skills
Postpartum physiology, psychology, social context- point of women
Newborn adaption & mother-infant early interaction (bonding & attachment), family-infant interaction, Neurobiology of attachment
Helping mothers with lactation problems
Various situations needing special attention or Breastfeeding Counseling: Initiating breastfeeding, Typical normal problems for beginners, Difficulties and painful breastfeeding, BF problems later in lactation, Breastfeeding older infants.
Infants with special needs
Basics of breastfeeding of babies with special needs. Infants with Adaptation problems and various conditions of infants at NICU or Paediatric Ward.

Evaluation scale

0-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Metropolia evaluating competences evaluation criteria is used.

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

Student
After this study unit the student will be able to:
- discuss about the basic knowledge and importance of breastfeeding.
- choose a suitable approach on various types of practical nursing situations.
- use at least one tool for assessing breastfeeding (skills) and competence.
- give examples and explain in detail some common breastfeeding challenges and suggest some possible solutions / help for the breastfeeding mother and child.

Further information

The joint course “Breastfeeding and Early Interaction“ developed in co-operation for the nursing curriculum and midwifery curriculum of the Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Finland and Tallinn Health Care College, Estonia.