92385 Promoting, Supporting and Protecting Breastfeeding
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particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 3 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
This subject prepares students to promote, protect and support breastfeeding for all women including those who experience breastfeeding challenges. The subject is underpinned by the Baby Friendly Health Initiative and the World Health Organisation Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding (2018) and the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes (1981).
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| A. | Describe the anatomy and physiology of lactogenesis. |
|---|---|
| B. | Discuss the importance of breastfeeding with women and their families. |
| C. | Support mothers to initiate and maintain breastfeeding and manage common difficulties. |
| D. | Understand the modifiable and non-modifiable variables that influence breastfeeding outcomes. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the following graduate attributes:
- Practice woman centred care (1.0)
- Demonstrate woman-centred care, acknowledging the physiological, psychological, cultural and spiritual needs of women, their babies and family members (1.1)
- Work in partnership with women (1.5)
- Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the woman, her clinical and psychological needs and work in partnership to implement a treatment plan (1.7)
- Are professionally competent midwives who provide safe and effective midwifery care using intelligent kindness (2.0)
- Work collaboratively in order to provide excellence in maternity care (3.0)
- Communicate their understanding of theoretical concepts when working collaboratively with women, their families and other health care professionals (3.5)
- Are resilient, emotionally competent midwives who foster human flourishing (4.0)
Teaching and learning strategies
In this subject, students will participate in a range of teaching and learning strategies that are designed to enhance learning.
ONLINE LEARNING
Students are required to complete three online modules and engage in online discussions. This subject will contain a number of interactive digital resources in order for the student to develop skills and knowledge in promoting, protecting and supporting women to breastfeed. These activities are then discussed in an online forum to share learning, experiences and reflections.
FACE-TO-FACE WORKSHOP
Students will attend one face-to-face workshop on campus. This workshop will focus on the skills required to care for women, families and their babies. The aim of the workshop is to develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills and equip students with the confidence to support women and families who have challenging breastfeeding situations.
MIDWIFERY SCENARIOS
Midwifery case scenarios are used to enhance student confidence to support women and families with breastfeeding. Scenarios depict women and their families in clinical or community situations. Students use these scenarios to learn concepts and interpret information. Students develop critical thinking through analysis, interpretation and reflection on issues or situations. Students work through case studies in class that focus on the changes experienced by women while initiating and sustaining breastfeeding.
Content (topics)
- Anatomy and physiology of Lactogenesis
- Understanding the Baby Friendly Health Initiative and the World Health Organization's Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding (2018) and the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes (1981)
- Communication with women and family in promoting and protecting breastfeeding and breastmilk
- Optimal attachment and positioning of babies
- Supporting women to express and store breastmilk
- Supporting women who experience breastfeeding challenges
- Breastfeeding as a public health strategy
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Anatomy and physiology of breastfeeding modules
| Intent: | Breastfeeding is a fundamental human activity. As midwives, we support women to initiate, establish and maintain breastfeeding for six months and beyond. Understanding the anatomy and physiology behind lactation and breastfeeding is fundamental to that support. The Breastfeeding Anatomy and Physiology modules are designed to familiarise you with the anatomy of the breast and the process of lactogenesis. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.0 and 2.0 |
| Type: | Exercises |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | Variable |
Assessment task 2: Simulated case study
| Intent: | Communicating with women about their experience of breastfeeding initiation and maintenance is fundamental to their success. This assessment allows the student to explore early breastfeeding using a case study and reflect on the midwives' role, drawing on the evidence to support care recommended. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): B, C and D This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 |
| Type: | Case study |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | 1000 words |
Assessment task 3: Online discussion participation
| Intent: | This assessment requires students to interact with and reflect on the online learning material. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): B and D This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.1, 1.5, 1.7 and 3.5 |
| Type: | Exercises |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 20% |
| Length: | 900 words total |
| Criteria: | This assessment will receive a grade (weighting 20%) |
References
Austin, M.P., Priest, S.R. & Sullivan, E.A. (2008), 'Antenatal psychosocial assessment for reducing perinatal mental
health morbidity', Cochrane Database Syst Rev, no. 4, p. CD005124.
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care 2012, National Safety and Quality Health Service
Standards, Sydney, ACSQHC.
Chapman, V. & Charles, C. (2013), The midwife's labour and birth handbook, 3rd edn, Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford.Downe,
S. 2008, Normal childbirth: Evidence and debate, 2nd edn
Gray, J., Smith, R. (2018), Midwifery essentials, Elsevier Australia, Sydney., Churchill Livingstone, London..
Gray, J., Smith, R. & Homer, C. (2008), Illustrated dictionary of midwifery, Elsevier Australia, Sydney.
Hanley, J. (2009), Perinatal mental health: a guide for health professionals and users, Wiley-Blackwell, Chichester, U.K.
Johnson, R. & Taylor, W. (2016), Skills for midwifery practice, 4th edn, Churchill Livingston, Edinburgh.
Kirkham, M. (2010), The midwife-mother relationship, 2nd edn, Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke.
Macdonald, S., Magill-Cuerden, J. & Warwick, C. (2011), Maye's midwifery: a textbook for midwives, 14th edn, Bailliere
Tindall, New York.
Marshall, J.E. & Raynor, M.D. (2014), Myles' textbook for midwives, 16th edn, Churchill Livingston, Sydney.
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia 2018, Midwife standards for practice, NMBA, Melbourne.
Pairman, S., Tracy, S., Thorogood, C. & Pincombe, J. (eds) (2018), Midwifery: preparation for practice, 4th edn,
Churchill Livingstone, Sydney.
Riordan, J. & Wambach, K. (2015), Breastfeeding and human lactation, 5th edn, Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Sudbury.
Stables, D. & Rankin J. (2011), Physiology in childbearing: with anatomy and related biosciences, 3rd edn, Elsevier,
Edinburgh
Walsh, D. (2011), Evidence and skills for normal labour and birth: A guide for midwives, 2nd edn, Routledge, London.
Walsh, D. & Downe, S. (2010), Essential midwifery practice: intrapartum care, Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford.
Waugh, A. & Grant, A. (2014), Ross & Wilson anatomy and physiology in health and illness, 12th edn, Churchill
Livingstone, Sydney.
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