CURRICULUM: NDC Lactation Fellowship module topics + guest speakers
| Module # | Module title | Guest speaker contribution: video + transcript |
|---|---|---|
| PART A | LAYING THE FOUNDATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE | |
| 1 | Evolutionary context: Homo sapiens + lactation | |
| 2 | Evolutionary patterns of breastfeeding + conditioned sympathetic nervous system hyperarousal | |
| 3 | Functional anatomy of suck and swallow + airway protection | Dr Nikki Mills |
| 4 | The milk ejection reflex | Assoc/Prof Felicity Davis |
| 5 | Functional anatomy, physiology, mechanobiology of lactation | Professor Donna Geddes; Dr Sharon Perrella |
| 6 | Regulation of mammary gland secretion: models and mechanisms | Professor Donna Geddes; Dr Sharon Perrella |
| 7 | Milk composition, mammary microbiomes, and the maternal-infant immune system | Professor Donna Geddes; Dr Sharon Perrella |
| 8 | Protecting infant development | Professor Jeanine Young; Professor Helen Ball |
| 9 | Whole woman, parent + family care: complexity, transdisciplinary generalism, patient-centred communication | Assoc/Prof Johanna Lynch |
| PART B | ADVANCED ASSESSMENT + MANAGEMENT OF THE MOST COMMON LACTATION-RELATED PRESENTATIONS | |
| 10 | Antenatal preparation for breastfeeding | Dr Stuart Prosser |
| 11 | Fit & hold: advanced clinical interventions | |
| 12 | Initiation of breastfeeding: the first three weeks post-birth | |
| 13 | Nipple-areolar complex pain, inflammation, and wounds | |
| 14 | Restricted oral connective tissues in infants | Dr Nikki Mills |
| 15 | The fussy breastfed infant | |
| 16 | Synchronising breast milk production with infant (or multiple infants') caloric need | Dr Zoya Gridneva |
| 17 | Breast inflammation (stroma): engorgement, blocked ducts, mastitis | |
| PART C | ADVANCED ASSESSMENT + MANAGEMENT OF OTHER LACTATION-RELATED PRESENTATIONS | |
| 18 | Breast inflammation (stroma): abscess, galactocoele, phlegmon, fistula | Dr Adam Ofri |
| 19 | Breast imaging in pregnancy + lactation, benign breast disease, idiopathic granulomatous mastitis | Dr Adam Ofri |
| 20 | The preterm infant | Dr Sharon Perrella |
| 21 | Infant medical conditions | Dr Leigh Campbell |
| 22 | Perinatal mental health and emotional wellbeing | Dr Johanna Lynch; Dr Rob Purssey; Dr Anita Elias |
| 23 | Maternal medical conditions | Dr Kate Rassi; Professor Donna Geddes; Professor Pamela Berens; Dr Leigh Campbell |
| 24 | Maternal medications + supplements | Associate Professor Treasure McGuire |
| 25 | Maternal nutrition + alcohol | Assoc/Prof Treasure McGuire |
| 26 | Non-puerperal induction of lactation, relactation, donor milk | |
| PART D | NURTURING THE EVOLUTION OF COLLECTIVE KNOWLEDGE, SUSTAINABILITY, AND CLINICAL WISDOM | |
| 27 | Overmedicalisation, paramedicalisation, and overtreatment of the breastfeeding woman and her infant | |
| 28 | Implementation science, interpreting research, pedagogy | Professor Donna Geddes |
| 29 | Ethics, politics, business, and the WHO Code | Assoc/Prof Julie Smith; Maureen Minchin |
Related resources
About The NDC Lactation Fellowship
The NDC Lactation Fellowship: what makes it different
The NDC Lactation Fellowship: upskilling leaders in lactation medicine
The NDC Lactation Fellowship: cost and comparisons
NDC Lactation Fellowship Curriculum (Transitioning from interim 2024-25 curriculum to the final 2026 curriculum)