|
Nurturing Naturally
Mother's milk is one of nature's truly perfect foods. It contains
the proper balance of antibodies and nutrients to keep an infant
thriving. Yet only 64 percent of new mothers in New Jersey are breast-feeding
their infants when they leave the hospital.
Lori
Feldman-Winter, MD, a pediatrician at UMDNJ-School of
Osteopathic Medicine (SOM), believes not enough heathcare
professionals are counseling their patients on the benefits
of breastfeeding or teaching them proper nursing techniques.
She teamed up with Riva Touger-Decker, RD, PhD, associate
professor of primary care at UMDNJ-School of Health Related
Professions (SHRP), and Chris Mulford, BSN, IBCLC,
a lactation consultant and adjunct SHRP faculty member,
to develop an interactive computer program to help clinicians
help their patients. Funding for the collaborative project
was provided by the Foundation of UMDNJ.
"The program
was designed for nurses, dietitians, midwives, physicians, dentists
or any other healthcare professionals involved with nursing mothers,"
says Touger-Decker. "The objective is to develop an understanding
of breastfeeding management and to provide clinicians with a learning
experience on lactation assessment, management and counseling."
There are seven
modules on the CD-ROM that cover anatomy and physiology of the breast
and the baby's mouth as it sucks, feeding behaviors, positioning,
latch-on, management, feeding alternatives and counseling. In addition
there are three Web-based case studies with evaluations: a 32-year-old
new mother, a 16-year-old inner-city adolescent and a 35-year-old
post-Cesarian mother.
The interactive
program is available for purchase and continuing academic credit
through the Center for Continuing Education at UMDNJ. For information
call (973) 972-4267 or 1-800-227-4852, or visit the Web site: umdnj.edu/
lactation.
|
