ProDoula

Infant Feeding Specialist Training

"ProDoula is an approved provider of nursing professional development by the South Carolina Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation."

This training is approved for 17 American Nurse Association continuing education units.

This training must be attended in its entirety in order to benefit from the 17 continuing education hours approved by the American Nurse Association.

The foundation of this program rests in the knowledge that breastmilk is considered the biologically optimal food for babies, while also respecting and preparing the specialist to support and embrace the alternatives available for infant feeding.
We know how badly this knowledge is needed in our industry, by both birth workers and the clients we support.

“The training was profound and provided 17 out of the required 24 CEU’s needed to renew my LPN license. I can’t speak highly enough about ProDoula and their trainers and now providing CEU’s! AMAZING!” ~ Kimberly Kammer, LPN, ProDoula Pre-CD, Labor, P&ICD, IFS

This is a hands on, interactive workshop incorporating actual people and actual tools, working through actual feeding scenarios and academics. You will leave this workshop ready to assist actual families. This training is innovative, inclusive, and unbiased and covers a myriad of topics relevant to the first 12 months of infant feeding. Infant Feeding Specialists are effectively, filling the gap between a parent successfully feeding their infant, and the need for an IBCLC or medical intervention. The Infant Feeding Specialist is an essential part of helping families achieve their feeding goals and maintaining their success.

Topics include:

The Anatomy of Infant Feeding
The Anatomy of Breastfeeding
The Anatomy of Bottles, Pumps and Accessories
Exploring Biases
Support Without Bias
12 Months of Infant Feeding
How Parenting Philosophies Shape Feeding Choices
Prenatal Beliefs About Infant Feeding
How Birth Shapes Feeding
Infant Feeding Positions
Myth Busting Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding and Body Image
Modesty and Breastfeeding Clothing
The Breastfeeding Relationship
Oversupply, Undersupply & Overactive Letdown

Nutritive Sucking vs. Non.
Alternative Means of Milk Transfer
Infant Feeding Obstacles
Comfort, Bonding and Feeding
Formula Feeding and its Considerations
Formula – How are They Different
Formula Bouncing – From One to the Next and Back
Overfeeding and the Unsettled Infant
Colic & Reflux
Paced Bottle Feeding
Combination Feeding
Postpartum Ideals vs. Postpartum Realities
Sleep and Infant Feeding
Introduction of Solids
Insurance and Breastfeeding
AND SO MUCH MORE…

Not to mention the historical information around breastfeeding you’ll learn, and other relevant health considerations for today’s modern families!

The process for becoming a Certified Infant Feeding Specialist, is as follows:

Register for and attend an Infant Feeding Specialist Training
Required reading (link to purchase) – Guilt-Free Bottle Feeding, by Madeleine Morris- Chapter 2 “Why bottle-feeding will not make your baby fat, sick or stupid”
Successfully complete the Infant Feeding Specialist Certification Exam, including the following mediums:

Multiple choice
True/False
Short answer
Essay
Client Profile
IFS Oral Examination

The ProDoula office will contact you with your exam results once all portions of your exam have been completed

This program was developed in coordination with the expertise of an RN, Certified Childbirth Educator, a veteran IBCLC, a 15-year (frustrated) CLC, and a 20-year seasoned Postpartum Doula. This training contains practical information on ALL ways to feed an infant, as well as extensive breastfeeding education. This is a stand-alone certification and is not affiliated or meant to be affiliated with any other program or credential.