REFLECTING UPON THE ART OF LACTATION PRACTICE:

An established six-day course for lactation practitioners via Zoom.
Designed to be of special interest to recertifying IBCLCs.

AN INNOVATIVE LACTATION EDUCATION COURSE

  • Arts/humanities-based approach to extend and enrich the usually science-based clinical lactation education. It follows the example of many medical schools around the world. Try it! It’s different, thought-provoking, and fun
  • This approach to lactation professional development has the emphasis on HOW we practise; a right brain counterbalance to the more usual left-brain approach.
  • Absolutely no expertise or ability in art is needed – it is not about art knowledge or creating nice images – but totally about the observation and reflection process and what it throws up, focussing on issues relating to professional practice and thus providing mutual supervision in-the-round.
  • We study and interact with a relaxed style, in the company of other lactation enthusiasts working together on our favourite topic! We look, describe, listen, consider, reflect, question, and laugh. There are no lectures, no tests to pass, no textbook reading, no nodding off after lunch… These are not study days!

    • THIS IS WHAT DOES EACH DAY INVOLVES

      • Examine research that underpins the integration of humanities and sciences to benefit observation, visual thinking, communication skills, professional satisfaction, and supervision.
      • Look at two pieces of fine art linked to one IBLCE Detailed Content Outline Topic, with a view to developing observation skills relevant to the ‘detective work, creative problem-solving in complex cases, and facilitated discussion with other lactation practitioners.
      • Start each afternoon with a short, relaxed guided visualisation that leads us into a time to explore the individual lactation specialists’ own practice and lactation issues through a simple practical activity.
      • Address ethics, considering our own lactation practice, reassessing our personal priorities. Previous students have used this process to make decisions about their future career path, the style of the practice, ways to solve problems at their place of work, trigger further academic study and to address personal self-care.

     

    COURSE STRUCTURE AND HOURS.

      • The course totals six days in interactive workshop format with six reflection homeworks, comprising Lactation and Ethics education.
      • Each Days is 10am – 4pm
      • Each of the Homeworks involves reflecting and a short, simple piece of writing. It is based on 4 questions adapted from and suitable also for NMC Revalidation. It is best done fresh, straight away but you have up to 2 weeks in which to submit the Homework.

    ARE YOU AN IBCLC DUE TO RECERTIFY?

      • Depending on their Self-Assessment score, many IBCLCs are now seeking lactation education in certain IBLCE Detailed Content Outline (DCO) topic areas.
      • Deborah’s NEW Reflecting Upon the Art of Lactation Practice Course is designed to provide Lactation-specific education in each of the seven required DCO topics (as well as Ethics, also required for recertification).
      • IBLCE has awarded the course 48 CERPs, comprising 36 L (lactation) and 12 E (ethics).

     

    BOOKING & PAYMENT

    • The course runs on the first Sunday of each month.
    • Those IBCLCs needing to revalidate will receive their CERPs certificate by IBLCE’s deadline.
    • If you want to book the Course but cannot make one of the workshop Days, that is OK – but your completion certificate at the end will not have the hours when we covered that Day’s DCO Topic.
    • To mark my own 30-year anniversary in breastfeeding work, I am giving away 30 gifts.
      Thirty IBCLCs (or Breastfeeding Counsellors) can do the FIRST DAY FREE.
    • So, you only pay for Days 2 – 6. The introductory price for the Course continues to be held at just £300.
    • Monthly pay-as-you-go is available via a standing order.
    • You can book JUST Day 1 to see if you want to do the rest of the Course Days 2-6.

    APPLICATION FORM: Please Click Here to download

    IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION OR WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE MORE A DETAILED COURSE STRUCTURE & INFO SHEET: Please email Deborah.

    ARE YOU INTERESTED BUT WOULD PREFER IT:

    • To complete by a different date?
    • To happen more often? (I could do it weekly or fortnightly.)
    • On a different day of the week? (I can do most except Saturday)
    • At an in-person venue? (I could hire a room in Chatham, Kent.)
    • Where I come to you? (If you have a group of at least 6 people and can provide a suitable venue.)
    • Please feel free to email to propose another arrangement, ask questions or share any ideas.

    ANY QUESTIONS?

      • Want the Information Pack?
      • Anything else?

    ENQUIRIES:
    You are welcome to contact Deborah with any questions you may have.
    Please Click Here

    FEEDBACK:

    I really enjoyed this course – observing closely the art selections that Deborah made, learning about the case studies, discussing with a group of colleagues. It was a delightful and enriching experience.’
    Infant Feeding Lead

    ‘The workshops have resulted in fresh ideas of simple changes I can make in my practice… The group dynamic worked so well – I will never forget the trust and genuine care we had for each other.’
    Midwife

    ‘I learnt so much from the group discussion about lactation-related issues that followed on from looking at the piece of art. The workshop was excellent value and so well put together. Great balance of individual tasks, group participation and feedback. I only wish I had attended earlier workshops. I felt very inspired after attending.’
    (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant).

    ‘If you get the chance now Deborah is offering them again, I would highly recommend attending one of her Art of Lactation workshops. They’re a fab way of spending the day for yourself with your peers, for supervision and to reflect on your practise. A great day’
    (Breastfeeding Counsellor)

    ‘Anyone contemplating this please don’t hesitate. I’ve done a few and they are a brilliant reflection tool. I came to some good but sometimes hard and right decisions doing this.’
    (Breastfeeding Peer Support Coordinator)

    ‘Something totally new to me, great to do something so different. An enjoyable day and lots of useful discussion relevant to practice. I will look forward to attending more of these workshops in the future.’
    (Infant Feeding Coordinator)

    ‘I’ve had the best day at Deborah Robertson’s reflection workshop based around art therapy (which is accredited for CERPS). It was such a super day & as always, it’s lovely to spend time with other Breastfeeding Supporters & Lactation Consultants. Goodness knows we need each other! In a profession where we often come under fire & feel devalued, filling each other’s cup & nurturing each other is so important. I’ve been saying since qualifying that I wanted some more training focused on my counselling skills. We (rightly) have a lot of focus on updating of clinical practice, but the core of our work is supporting women & meeting them where they are. A wonderful day of reflecting on our practice & holding each other’s space. Just perfect. I feel refreshed. That’s when you know it’s been a good day!’
    (IBCLC Lactation Consultant)

    ‘I have been to all eight so far and get so much from these sessions! They help me regroup and focus and let go of things out of my control. They have kept me sane and working in the NHS for as long as I have. They have also motivated me to move forward to sit my IBCLE!’
    (Breastfeeding Counsellor)

    ‘I really enjoyed the morning looking at two pieces of fine art as I believe that it enables me to sharpen my observational and listening skills, which are really critical when working and speaking with mothers, to support more effectively. A fantastic day. Really recommend it! The CERPS are a bonus’
    (Nutritionist, IBCLC)

    ‘These days are excellent for reconnecting with yourself and clearing your mind. Highly recommended, especially after the hullabaloo of Christmas and the new year!’
    (Infant Feeding Support Worker).

    ‘I loved the days I attended pre-covid and I’m so pleased you’re bringing them back. I met other like-minded awesome IBCLCs and breastfeeding supporters, and would highly recommend these sessions!’
    (Breastfeeding Counsellor)