Self Learning Kit on Breastfeeding for Health Professionals

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About this Kit

Breastfeeding is the unequalled way to providing optimal nutritional, immunological and emotional nurturing for the growth and development of infants. The benefits are proportional to the duration and exclusiveness of breastfeeding until the infants are ready for transitional feeding. Although breastfeeding is a natural act, it is also a learned skill. Mothers need to access practical and accurate information on breastfeeding from health professionals. Your support and guidance is essential to help mothers initiate and continue breastfeeding as well as overcome hurdles and barriers during the course.

The Department of Health (DH) has taken the lead to develop this Self Learning Kit on Breastfeeding for Health Professionals (the Kit) in 2011 (Reviewed in 2024) with an aim to enhance their knowledge and skills that are essential to facilitate the initiation, establishment and maintenance of breastfeeding. The Kit will provide you with the necessary information and practical suggestions to address common breastfeeding problems and concerns at different stages from pregnancy to around six months postnatal. With the concerted effort of all health professionals, every newborn infant in Hong Kong getting breastfed would not be a dream anymore.

Content

The learning materials are presented with case scenario(s) in each chapter. You can also refer to the supplementary information in the core topics. Further readings and other references are provided at the end of each chapter. To use this Kit effectively, you are advised to read the User Guide before reading the contents.

A supplementary chapter (Chapter 11) was added in 2014 which aims to provide supplementary information on mother friendly childbirth care practice in the intra-partum period and breastfeeding which has not been covered by “Chapter 2: Delivery and Breastfeeding” of the Kit.

The Chapters:

The Core Topics:

  1. Anatomy of the Breast
  2. Physiology of Lactation
  3. Taking Breastfeeding History
  4. Performing a Breast Examination
  5. Observing a Breastfeed
  6. Practical Skills in Breastfeeding
  7. Alternative Feeding Methods
  8. Expression of Breastmilk
  9. Storage of Breastmilk
  10. Breastfeeding Counselling Skills
  11. Hospital and Community Resources
  12. Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding
  13. Human Milk and Infant Formula Milk

Continuous Professional Development (CPD)

It may take approximately 8 hours to complete the 10 chapters. You need to complete a pre- and post-assessment with 5 multiple choice questions in each chapter. By submitting the pre- and post-assessment form to Family Health Service (FHS) of DH at breastfeeding.fhs@dh.gov.hk, you can acquire CPD points from the following professional organisations:

CME points (updated 2024)

College / Organisation CME points
[Chapters 1 to 10 & one Supplementary Chapter (Chapter 11)]
Hong Kong College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists 1 CME point for each chapter
(Max 10 CME points for the whole function)
Hong Kong College of Paediatricians 1 CME point for each chapter
(Max 10 CME points for the whole function)
DH/HKAM/HKDU/HKMA (Non specialist) 1 CME point for each of the 11 chapters
HK College of Family Physicians For accreditation of e-learning modules, HKCFP members are required to submit individual application (additional accreditation) to the College in regard to the e-learning module/ course(s) they took during the year.
HK College of Anaesthesiologists 1 CME point for each chapter
(Max 10 CME points for the whole function)

Accreditation as Baby Friendly Hospital

Evidence of completion of chapters one to seven of this Kit fulfills part of the requirement of training of medical professionals in hospitals with maternity service applying for accreditation as Baby Friendly Hospitals in Hong Kong.

Please contact Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative Hong Kong Association for detail.

Project Planning Committee

Producer

  • Department of Health, HKSAR

Collaborators (in alphabetical order)

  • Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative Hong Kong Association
  • The Hong Kong College of Family Physicians
  • The Hong Kong College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
  • Hong Kong College of Paediatricians
  • The Hong Kong Medical Association
  • Hospital Authority

Production Team

  • Health Information Section of Family Health Service, Department of Health
  • The Open University of Hong Kong (Instructional design)
  • PMP Advertising (lnt'l) Ltd. (Design and production)

Editorial Board

  • Dr. IP, Lai-sheung Patricia (Chief Editor)
  • Health Information Section of Family Health Service, Department of Health

Contributors (in alphabetical order)

  • Dr. FUNG, Wai-han Amy MB BS (HK), IBCLC
  • Dr. IP, Lai-sheung Patricia MB BS (Syd), MRCP (UK), FRCP (Edin), FHKCPaed, FHKAM (Paediatrics), FRCPCH(UK)
  • Ms KWAN, Suet-fun Nora BN (Health Science) Monash University, RN/M, IBCLC
  • Dr.LAM, Cheung-cheung Barbara JP MBBS(HK),MRCP (UK), FHKCP, FHKCPaed, FHKAM (Paediatrics), FRCP (Edinburgh), FRCPCH (UK), FRCP (London)
  • Dr. LAU, Ho-lim MB BS (HK), FRACGP, FHKCFP, DFM (CUHK)
  • Ms LEE, Siu-pik Peggy RD (Registered Dietitian), CNSD (Certified Nutrition Support Dietitian), MSc (Exerciseand Nutrition Science), BS (Nutrition Science)
  • Dr. LEUNG, Cheuk-wa Wilfred MB ChB (CUHK), MRCP (UK), MRCPCH (UK), FHKCPaed, FHKAM (Paediatrics)
  • Mr. LO, Cheuk-hang Charles BPharm (Hans), MCiinPharm, MSc (Health & Hospital Mgt), Cert Chin Med
  • Dr. SZE Kong-wah MB (JINAN), LMC (HK), BChinMed (HKU), Registered Chinese medicine practitioner
  • Dr. TAM, Wing-hung MB ChB (CUHK), MRCOG, MHKCOG, FHKAM (O&G), FHKCOG, FRCOG
  • Dr. WONG, Kar-yin MB BS (HK), MRCP (UK), MRCPCH (UK), FHKAM (Paediatrics), FHKCPaed
  • Dr. WONG, William MB BS (HK), MRCP(UK), FHKCPaed, FHKAM(Paediatrics), FRCP (Edin), FRCPCH (UK)
  • Ms YEUNG, May BN (OUHK), RN I M

Acknowledgenent

Our thanks are extended to all those who have made the production of this Kit possible - the participants of needs assessment, the collaborating organisations, the independent contributors, the reviewers, the instructional designer, the multimedia production company and the editorial board. Special gratitude is due to Dr Patricia IP for her enthusiasm, hard work, invaluable knowledge and insight in coordinating and editing the huge content during the development process. We would also like to thank all colleagues and friends not listed above who have supported us and contributed towards bringing this Kit to reality.

Our gratitude also goes to the management and staff of Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Queen Mary Hospital and United Christian Hospital for their valuable assistance in facilitating the video production.

We also sincerely thank the nursing mothers, their babies and families for sharing their breastfeeding experience and participating in video shooting. Without their generous support and contribution, this Kit would not have materialized.

Last but not the least, we would like to acknowledge the following organisations for their support in launching the Kit: (in alphabetical order)

  • Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative Hong Kong Association
  • Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Prince of Wales Hospital
  • The Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Queen Mary Hospital
  • Department of Paediatric, Chinese University of Hong Kong
  • Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong
  • The Hong Kong College of Family Physicians
  • The Hong Kong College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
  • Hong Kong College of Paediatricians
  • Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF
  • Hong Kong Dietitians Association
  • The Hong Kong Medical Association
  • Hong Kong Midwives Association
  • Hong Kong Nutrition Association
  • Hong Kong Paediatric Nurses Association
  • The Hong Kong Paediatric Society
  • Hong Kong Society for Public Health Nursing
  • Hong Kong Society of Paediatric Endocrinology & Metabolism
  • The Hong Kong Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
  • Hong Kong Society of Paediatric Respirology
  • Hospital Authority
  • The Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society of Hong Kong

Supplementary Chapter on Mother Friendly Childbirth Care & Breastfeeding (2014)

About this chapter

  • Supplementary Chapter on Mother Friendly Childbirth Care & Breastfeeding
  • Approximate reading time: 40min
  • This chapter provides supplementary information on mother friendly childbirth care practice in the intra-partum period and breastfeeding which has not been covered by “Delivery and Breastfeeding”, Chapter 2 of the Self Learning Kit on Breastfeeding. The readers are advised to use both resources together.

Content

  • Unnecessary intra-partum interventions impede women’s confidence and ability to cope with the labour process and affect both mother-baby outcomes, including breastfeeding outcomes. In this chapter, we will introduce the ‘Ten Steps of the Mother Friendly Childbirth Initiative’ for Mother-Friendly Hospitals, Birth Centers, and Home Birth Services” launched by the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services (CIMS). We will focus on the five principles of the care philosophy and explain the impact of intrapartum care practices as mentioned in four of the ten steps with supporting evidences.
  • The four steps include:
    • Step One (support during labour),
    • Step Four (freedom to move and choice of birthing position),
    • Step Six (employ practices with evidences), and
    • Step Seven (promote use of non-drug pain relief)

Production Team (in alphabetical order)

  • Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative Hong Kong Association
  • Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Kwong Wah Hospital, Hospital Authority
  • Family Health Service, Department of Health

Contributors (in alphabetical order)

  • Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative Hong Kong Association
    • Dr. IP Lai-sheung Patricia, Vice Chairperson
  • Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Kwong Wah Hospital
    • Dr. LEUNG Wing–cheong, COS
    • Ms. CHAN Lai-ping, APN, IBCLC
    • Ms. LEUNG Sau-king, RNM, IBCLC
    • Ms. SING Chu, DOM
    • Ms. WONG Wing-yan Crystie, RNM, IBCLC
    • Ms. YEUNG Kit-ming Amy, NS, IBCLC

Acknowledgement

  • Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Kwong Wah Hospital
    • Ms. TAI Sin-ming, WM
    • Ms. CHUNG Shui-fun Clara, WM
    • Ms. TSANG Wan-chi, RNM
    • Ms. LEE Sze-wing Cindy, RNM
    • Ms. NG Wai-yee, CII
  • Family Health Services, Department of Health
WCAG