Undergraduate Training Course

HSCI 434: Lactation Education: Prenatal and Perinatal Period (3). Prerequisite:  Junior Standing. This course provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide families in the community with breastfeeding education and support during the prenatal and perinatal period.

Topics covered in this course include:

• The history of infant feeding
• National and international breastfeeding promotion initiatives
• Careers in lactation
• Counseling skills
• Nutrition during pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Anatomy and physiology of lactation
• Common breastfeeding barriers and strategies to overcome those barriers
• Hospital practices that influence breastfeeding and key concepts for getting breastfeeding off to a good start

Minor in Human Lactation program requirements
This course will satisfy one of the course requirements for the Minor in Human Lactation. For more information on the Minor in Human Lactation click here

B.S in Public Health degree requirements
This course will satisfy 3 units of the 12 units of required elective coursework that is part of the B.S. in Public Health degree requirements. Click here for B.S. in Public Health Program Brochure  

All other Majors
Contact your department Advisor if you have specific questions on how the course will help you progress toward graduation.

Yes, community members and students not currently enrolled in a degree program at CSUN may enroll in HSCI 434  through the Tseng College without formal application or admission to the university.  Individuals may take this class on a space-available basis, if they receive instructor approval and meet course prerequisites.  For details about the course or certificate of course completion, contact  lactation.education@csun.edu.  For specific questions about fees and how to enroll in  HSCI 434 please  contact the Tseng College Admissions Office at (818) 677-2504 or visit the following website:  http://tsengcollege.csun.edu/studentinfo/howtoregister.

Certificate of Course Completion

Student successfully completing this course receive a certificate of course completion enabling them to use the designation of certificated lactation educator. 

 LEAARC Recognized Breastfeeding Course

This course is recognized by the Lactation Education Accreditation and Approval Review Committee (LEAARC) as basic education (under 90 hours) for breastfeeding educators and counselors.

Click here for a List of Recognized Breastfeeding Courses Endorsed by LEAARC 

Click here for HSCI 434: Lactation Education: Prenatal and Perinatal Period Informational Flyer.