Course Expectations
Punctuality
Sessions start promptly – please refer to the Practitioner Program. Please don’t be late, there is always lots to go through, and recapping for late arrivals stops the flow of the session.
Carve this time out as it is vital to your Infant Feeding Coach™ journey.
Attendance
You are expected to attend all the live sessions, but we know that sometimes life gets in the way. Therefore, we will accept one missed session, if absolutely necessary.
Live session recordings will be published to the course within 5 working days. You are able to catch up or rewatch if you need to recap. Please ensure you have caught up before the following week. We can’t record the breakout sessions so you would need to contact your fellow students to find out what you missed.
If you know you are going to miss a session in advance of the date, please ensure you have officially let us know at info@theinfantfeedingacademy.co.uk so that this can be recorded on your attendance record.
Behaviour
Please turn up to the sessions the same way you would if you were attending a college course. Be sat upright (not lounging on your bed) in a well-lit room, with pens, paper, and any other equipment you need to hand. When on camera, ensure that your entire face is visible on screen (not just an ear or forehead!). This helps create a more engaging and interactive environment for everyone.
Refreshments: You are welcome to drink during the live sessions, but please eat your dinner before or after the session!
Camera’s on please!
As this is an accredited course, it is important that we know that you are there, taking part and understanding what is going on!
We also do lots of group work where you’ll be electronically popped into a breakout room with your colleagues and given assignments to work on together. This doesn’t work if someone has turned their camera off or left the room!
Assessed Workbooks
There are 4 reviewed workbooks in total: Before Birth, Newborn Nurslings, and The Fourth Trimester, as well as a short pre-course workbook ‘Debrief About Breastfeeding’.
These workbooks are meticulously crafted to not only reinforce but also cultivate your understanding through thoughtful, researched, and well-informed responses to each question.
Consider these workbook as an open revision paper where active exploration is encouraged— please research and seek answers to demonstrate your evolving knowledge. We aim to witness tangible proof of your growing expertise, prioritising the development of your understanding rather than a mere assessment of existing knowledge. Your responses should authentically mirror your comprehension and insights.
To ensure your workbook is completed comprehensively, avoid leaving any boxes empty, as an incomplete workbook will be classed as a non-submission.
These workbooks will be a valuable revison tool for you to look back on in the future!
Throughout the course, and within the workbooks, we often refer to the ‘Infant Feeding Continuum Framework™’—this is a pivotal element in the support provided by Infant Feeding Coaches™.
Unlocking Insights: Applying the Infant Feeding Continuum™ across the Infant Feeding Journey
The theme of Infant Feeding Continuum Framework™ (IFCF) runs throughout all three workbooks. Your task is to skilfully apply this framework to distinct time frames in the Infant Feeding journey.
We invite you to showcase your appreciation for the dynamic nature of the 5C’s within the framework, illustrating how each element evolves across various stages. Delve into the nuances of these concepts, unravelling their transformations from the period before birth, navigating through the early weeks, and extending into the intricacies of the fourth trimester.
Your exploration should be a testament to your deep understanding of how the 5C’s: Connection, Compassion, Collaboration, Communication and Confidence – manifest and adapt along the chronological spectrum. We encourage you to not just grasp these concepts theoretically but to demonstrate their practical application within each unique time frame.
This exercise will not only enrich your comprehension of the Infant Feeding Continuum Framework™ but will also empower you with a holistic perspective on the evolving dynamics of infant feeding.
Workbook answer examples
Needs more thought:
Questions left blank/unanswered or not given adequate consideration – workbooks containing this will be returned for completion and will need to be resubmitted.
Satisfactory response:
The question was addressed with a correct answer, but in brief.
Great work:
Expanded answer with good consideration to all aspects of the question.
Shows in-depth understanding:
Expanded answer showing reflection/further reading/or your own research into the topics.
EXAMPLES
Needs more thought
This response does not address conmunication in the ‘Before Birth’ period. Very little thought has gone in to applying the IFCF and this would be returned for further consideration.
Satisfactory
This response shows a basic awareness of communication styles. Beyond expressing preferences for feeding, consideration for how communication plays a pivotal role in conveying expectations, addressing concerns, and fostering understanding during the crucial ‘Before Birth’ phase, has not been given. We want to see how you might proactively initiate discussions on evolving feeding needs, anticipate potential challenges, and ensure open lines of communication with relevant stakeholders. We would like to see you share your insights on applying communication strategies that are not only general but finely tuned to the unique dynamics of this specific time frame.
Great work!
This student has applied the IFCF specifically to the ‘Before Birth’ period and demonstrates a good awareness of communication styles. Notably, they showcase a robust understanding of communication styles, emphasising the significance of adapting their approach to this specific phase. Their awareness extends to the crucial value of establishing trusting relationships, indicating a keen insight into the nuanced dynamics of communication during the pre-birth period.
Shows In-depth Understanding
This response demonstrates and expanded answer showing reflection/further referenced reading/and their own research into the topic. Whilst it discusses communication in general it also is specifically tailored to the ‘Before Birth’ Period.
End of Module Quiz
At the end of Before Birth, Newborn Nurslings and The Fourth Trimester modules there is a short quiz for you to recap and test your knowledge. You can retake the quiz as many times as you like!
To pass the module you must achieve at least 80%.
Use of AI, Grammarly and other similar tools
Students are strictly prohibited from using Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, such as language models or content generators, to complete their workbooks. The use of AI in this context is not permitted for the following reasons:
Inaccuracy: AI-generated content may contain factual errors, inconsistencies, or outdated information. As AI models are trained on vast amounts of data, they can sometimes produce content that is incorrect or misleading. Relying on AI-generated answers may lead to the submission of inaccurate work, which can negatively impact your learning and academic performance.
Lack of critical thinking: Using AI to complete workbooks undermines the development of critical thinking skills. Workbooks are designed to challenge students to analyse, synthesise, and apply knowledge independently. By relying on AI, students miss out on the opportunity to engage actively with the material and develop their own understanding of the subject matter.
Plagiarism concerns: Submitting AI-generated content as one’s own work constitutes a form of plagiarism. Academic integrity is of utmost importance, and students are expected to complete their workbooks and assignments independently, demonstrating their own knowledge and understanding of the course material.
Violation of academic policies: The use of AI for completing workbooks or any other coursework violates academic policies and may result in disciplinary action, including but not limited to receiving a failing grade for the assignment or the course.
We understand that AI technology is becoming increasingly accessible, but it is essential to prioritise your learning and academic growth.
Detection of AI-generated Content
To maintain academic integrity and ensure fair assessment, we employ advanced tools capable of detecting AI-generated content with a high degree of accuracy. These tools utilise state-of-the-art algorithms and machine learning techniques to analyse submitted work and identify patterns, language structures, and other indicators that are characteristic of AI-generated text. Our detection methods are continuously updated and refined to keep pace with the ever-evolving AI technologies. In most cases, these tools can accurately flag content that has been generated by AI, even if the text has been slightly modified or paraphrased. Students should be aware that any attempt to use AI for their workbooks or other assignments will likely be detected. Work found to be generated in part or in full, will not be marked, rendering it impossible to attain the qualification. The Infant Feeding Academy reserves the right to full renumeration of the course.
Prohibition of Grammarly and Similar Tools
In addition to the prohibition of AI tools, students are also strictly forbidden from using Grammarly or similar writing assistance tools when completing their workbooks. These tools often rely on AI algorithms to suggest corrections, improvements, and alterations to the text, which can lead to the generation of content that is not entirely the student’s own work. Moreover, the use of Grammarly and similar tools may be flagged by our AI detection systems, as the language patterns and structures produced by these tools can resemble those of AI-generated content. To ensure the integrity of your work and avoid any potential issues with our AI detection tools, it is crucial that you refrain from using Grammarly or any other writing assistance tools while working on your workbooks. Instead, focus on developing your own writing skills and use tools like dictionaries or conduct simple Google searches to check the spelling of words.
Referencing and Crediting Content
We encourage you to draw from a variety of sources to enrich your workbooks, including websites, books, articles, podcasts, and other media. When using external content, please provide basic attribution to acknowledge the original creator. This can be done informally – for example, you might mention the title, year, and author of a book within your text.
Unlike traditional academic assignments, this program places a strong emphasis on your personal reflections and insights. We value your unique perspectives and encourage you to express them freely, as long as you can explain the reasoning behind your thoughts.
There’s no need to adhere to a specific referencing style. Instead, use a format you’re comfortable with that clearly indicates when you’re drawing from external sources. If you’re unsure about how to credit a particular source, feel free to email us at info@theinfantfeedingacademy.co.uk for guidance.
Remember, the goal is to maintain academic integrity while allowing you the freedom to explore and express your ideas. Your personal insights, combined with thoughtful integration of external resources, will create a rich and valuable learning experience.