$69.00 USD

95% rating - reviews

0.3  ASHA CEUs

Optimizing Breastfeeding Safety And Outcomes In The Presence Of Feeding And Swallowing Disorders #e222


Presenter: Kimberly Morris, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, IBCLC

Learn assessment and treatment techniques to reduce aspiration risk with infants who are breastfeeding.


"This entire course was so very beneficial and not just a basic feeding course - it actually addressed higher level issues."

– K.B., prior course participant

Read more comments about this course!

Speech-Language Pathologists are responsible for evaluating and treating infant feeding and swallowing disorders and can greatly influence breastfeeding outcomes in patients who are identified as having a known risk of aspiration.

This presentation will focus on assessment and treatment techniques to reduce aspiration risk at the breast and will highlight how to overcome obstacles to breastfeeding in special populations including children with congenital heart disease, botulism and cleft lip/palate. Videos and case studies will be included.

Offered for 0.3 ASHA CEUs – 3 contact hours.

The Illinois Early Intervention Training Program has approved this course for 3 hours of EI credential credit in the area of Intervention.

Course Overview – Run Time: 3:00:50

  • Role differentiation and collaboration of SLP and IBCLC.
  • Review of skills required for breastfeeding vs. bottle feeding.
  • Review of bedside assessment of coordination and oropharyngeal function at the breast vs. bottle.
  • Instrumental assessments for primarily breastfed babies.
  • Using patient’s unique swallowing physiology to predict safety at the breast and guide treatment planning.
  • Establishing care plans that support breastfeeding.
  • Treatment strategies that promote safety at the breast.
  • Treatment strategies in special populations: congenital heart disease; botulism; cleft lip & palate.
  • Case studies.
"This topic gave me more information to use in conjunction with our lactation consultants. I especially appreciated the specific case studies and the progression of the baby's feeding progress."

– S.B., prior course participant

Read more comments about this course!

The content of this online CE course does not focus exclusively on any specific proprietary product or service. Presenter financial and non-financial disclosures may be found in the Presenter & Disclosures area.

Video PowerPoint presentation with author narration & downloadable handout. Stop and re-start the course at any point. Learners retain access to course content after completion for ongoing reference and review.

Reviews

"I enjoyed the detailed outline of this course." A.H. (Mar. 2024)

"I really enjoyed this course and considering the role SLPs play among the medical team and family. Kimberly consistently reiterated the importance of customizing the plan based on family goals, infant skills, mother, etc. It is an important concept to keep in mind." A.I. (Mar. 2024)

"Discussing positional changes to help with latch and flow rate was helpful. I liked the thoroughness of slides and case studies." A.P. (Mar. 2024)

"Treatment strategies and making parents a part of goal making were beneficial topics." H.B. (Feb. 2024)

"The strategies to use at the breast to reduce flow rate if s/s of aspiration are present were beneficial. I really enjoyed the case studies at the end to critically apply the information learned. The video examples were helpful as well." S.M. (Jan. 2024)

"Milk transfer measurements were beneficial to discuss. I liked the handout." K.H. (Dec. 2023)

"Differences in breast v bottle feeds, especially positioning. I liked the videos." J.M. (Dec. 2023)

"The interventions and case studies were helpful." L.A. (Nov. 2023)

"Positioning info and the info about cleft palate/lip were beneficial topics. I liked the real videos of the babies." J.R. (Nov. 2023)

"Easy to follow with good information. I enjoyed the case studies and going over specific populations." K.H. (Nov. 2023)

"Very clear and concise course. The case studies helped me understand how to apply aspects of breastfeeding to functional situations." U.P. (Nov. 2023)

"I liked that the emphasis was placed on the SLP's role in breastfeeding with infants. Positional implications on swallowing at the breast; modifications to try in the presence of dysphagia. Case studies at the end were very comprehensive." L.C. (Oct. 2023)

"I am an SLP currently working on my IBCLC. Most of my families are told to stop breastfeeding when their baby is in NICU. Or they have no support on how to progress with breastfeeding once they leave the hospital. This course really provided information to support me. I love the presenter's background and the considerations she made throughout the course with all of her hats with swallowing, SLP and IBCLC." J.G. (Sep. 2023)

"Discussed breastfeeding techniques with specific populations (e.g., Cleft Lip/Palate, Heart Disease, etc.)." A.V. (Aug. 2023)

"Learning different treatment strategies for breastfeeding moms. I enjoyed being able to finish course at my own pace." L.G. (Aug. 2023)

"Provided a clearer perspective of my role as a feeding therapist. I liked the video examples!" D.F. (Jun. 2023)

"How to feed infants safely if they are aspirating. I liked that this course talked about SLP and IBCLC roles and how we both play roles in a patient's feeding progression." A.S. (Jun. 2023)

"I liked the comprehensive information, the different types of positioning, and therapeutic strategies." S.W. (Jun. 2023)

"Treatment goals were beneficial, and I liked the examples of assessment and treatment procedures." A.B. (May 2023)

"Practical suggestions and strategies." R.W. (Apr. 2023)

"I liked the video examples with explanations. I am a graduate SLP student and am trying to learn more specific things about pediatric feeding." C.F. (Apr. 2023)

"Learning about different diagnosis and how it affects the breastfeeding/swallow experience. Video and articles related to topic were beneficial." P.C. (Jan. 2023)

"Positioning strategies were helpful. I liked the pace and the videos." S.S. (Jan. 2023)

"Liked the techniques for safe breastfeeding such as starting with small goals. I liked the case studies." R.D. (Dec. 2022)

"Assessing readiness for feeding, positioning, flow rate, etc was helpful." J.P. (Dec. 2022)

"This course is practical and well organized. I liked the case studies." N.D. (Nov. 2022)

"This topic gave me more information to use in conjunction with our lactation consultants. I especially appreciated the specific case studies and the progression of the baby's feeding progress." S.B. (Oct. 2022)

"Great, concise information. Videos were really beneficial." P.M. (Oct. 2022)

"The video examples were very helpful, specifically the holds. This was not just a basic course, this went in depth." E.M. (Oct. 2022)

"I liked the treatment methods and goals. The course was well organized." E.B. (Sept. 2022)

"This entire course was so very beneficial and not just a basic feeding course - it actually addressed higher level issues. It will be beneficial for every infant feeding kiddo I serve." K.B. (Sept. 2022)

"I liked the ability to take it whenever I had the chance." D.M. (Aug. 2022)

"The content in this course was excellent." M.F. (July 2022)

"Very practical applications. Information on cleft palate was beneficial." E.J. (June 2022)

"Good slides. Liked the info on positioning." V.V. (June 2022)

"I liked all of the content. A lot of practical information was provided." E.E. (May 2022)

"Good strategies to support breastfeeding in infants experiencing dysphagia – well organized and thorough course." A.G. (May 2022)

"Discussing breastfeeding readiness and goals including physiology, parent ed, prefeeding readiness, ssb, and physiology of swallow." S.C. (May 2022)

"Concrete examples of follow-up with patients was helpful. I liked the videos." E.F. (May 2022)

"Liked the therapy strategies. Liked the slower pace." C.M. (Mar. 2022)

"Liked that it was online and I could take it on my own timeline and could stop and restart anytime." E.E. (Mar. 2022)

"Assessing swallowing function and safety at the breast – Interventions to improve efficiency and safety at the breast – Videos and images." S.D. (Mar. 2022)

"Good take away information on positioning, treatment ideas, etc." K.N. (Mar. 2022)

"I liked how the presenter broke down the content and gave specific examples with goal writing, collaborating with caregivers, case studies, etc." C.M. (Jan. 2022)

"I liked the case studies on specific breastfeeding scenarios; use of clinical examples and problem solving." E.G. (Jan. 2022)

"I have an increased number of breast feeding or attempting to increase breast over bottle feeds. Topic related to my patient caseload." L.C. (Jan. 2022)

"I liked the case studies, treatment planning, and short term goal examples." K.P. (Dec. 2021)

“I enjoyed learning how to emotionally support mothers during the breastfeeding journey. The treatment strategies and positions that were demonstrated.” K.L. (Dec. 2021)

"The specific details of all that is involved with latching, let-down, milk flow and transfer, and positioning of the breast and baby. It was more in-depth. I see breast-feeding babies in an outpatient setting, and liked more of the details and specific interventions that were provided here." J.S. (Nov. 2021)

"I liked the video examples with voice over of normal/abnormal, do's/dont's, etc." E.A. (Oct. 2021)

"The course was very accurate, informative, and useful." H.H. (Oct. 2021)

"The strategies to change position as feeding at the breast changes as the feeding goes on in duration was good information. I liked the case studies with the reassessments and recommendations." H.W. (Oct. 2021)

"The instructor was an expert, very knowledgeable and a great teacher. Her voice was also very calming and easy to listen to." K.K. (Oct. 2021)

"The background knowledge for feeding at the breast and what is involved in supporting mother and baby to successful feeding was beneficial to my daily practice. The presenter was knowledgeable." A.S. (Sept. 2021)

"This content is novel for me as an adult medical SLP who is slowly training in pediatric competencies." D.D. (Sept. 2021)

"The case studies and information on typical versus atypical presentation were good.  The videos and pictures were very helpful." S.J. (Aug. 2021)

"Learning about the resources available to answer questions is beneficial." K.S. (Jul. 2021)

"I appreciated the use of video, real cases, and the inclusion of some evidence. The discussions on goal setting and the love, lick, latch, learn, leave framework were most helpful."  K.V. (Jul. 2021)

"I found the treatment strategies the most beneficial. I also really enjoyed the case studies to practice seeing those treatment strategies implemented. I thought the entire course was good. It would have been nice to have more information about the central pattern generators." L.C. (Jun. 2021)

"I enjoyed that she went over heart disease, botulism, and cleft. The flow between areas was fantastic! I thought it was a great course!" A.R. (May 2021)

“Excellent presentation. The practical strategies for assessing and treating infants who are breastfeeding were most helpful. I liked the modifications and strategies for improving breastfeeding safety.” I.S. (Apr. 2021)

“This was SUPER helpful going forward for me working with our NICU feeding population and assisting moms with breast feeding.” J.S. (Mar. 2021)

“The modifications for milk flow rate adjustments were helpful. I liked that the presenter was very detailed. So much so, in fact, that I will be coming back to this presentation as a resource for information throughout my private practice journey.” D.P. (Jan. 2021)

"I appreciated the ways to support parents and our specific role as an SLP. The instructor provided great examples and visuals." R.R. (Jan. 2021)

Course Objectives

  1. Describe three differences in feeding skills required for breastfeeding compared to bottle feeding.
  2. List three treatment techniques that can facilitate safe and efficient breastfeeding in special populations.
  3. List three ways to decrease milk flow at the breast.
  4. Describe three strategies that can support a mother’s desire to breastfeed when her baby is identified as having an aspiration risk with thin liquids.
  5. Describe barriers to breastfeeding in special populations.

Presenter & Disclosures

Kimberly Morris, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, IBCLC, is a Speech-Language Pathologist with 12 years of experience evaluating and treating feeding and swallowing impairments, as well as cognitive communication impairments in neonates through young adults. She is recognized as a Board Certified Specialist in Swallowing Disorders and is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. Kimberly joined Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego in 2018 and previously worked at AI DuPont Hospital for Children and Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach. She is formally trained in completing Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing and is a Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile registered clinician. She is also involved in national research initiatives to optimize dysphagia outcomes for neonates with congenital heart disease and children who are tracheostomy dependent.

Speaker Disclosures:

Financial — Kimberly Morris is the presenter of online CE courses sponsored by Northern Speech Services; receives royalties.

NonfinancialKimberly Morris has no relevant nonfinancial relationships to disclose.

Intended Audience / Accreditation

asha ce approved provider

This program is offered for 0.3 ASHA CEUs (Intermediate Level; Professional Area).

Intended Audience

  • Speech-Language Pathologists

ASHA CEUs: NSS online courses are registered with ASHA and are offered for ASHA CEUs. The number of ASHA CEUs is noted above. Note that 0.1 ASHA CEU = 1 contact hour = equals 1 CEE.

ASHA CE Registry: During the enrollment process, if you select to receive ASHA credit for this course and if you provide your ASHA number, NSS will automatically submit your CEU information to the ASHA CE Registry after successful course completion (80% on post test). This submission happens once per month, during the first week of the month. For example, if you complete your course on November 7th, NSS will submit all November online course CEUs to ASHA during the first week of December. When ASHA inputs the information into their database, they will mark the course as completed on the last day of the month in which it was completed, so November 30th using this example. The certificate of completion available for you to print immediately, however, will reflect the actual completion date, November 7th in this example. Due to ASHA processing procedures please allow 2-3 weeks, from the submission date, for the course to appear on your ASHA transcript.

ASHA CEUs: Attendees must meet at least one of the following conditions in order to be eligible to earn ASHA CEUs:

  • Current ASHA Member.
  • ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) Holder.
  • Licensed by a state or provincial regulatory agency to practice speech-language pathology (SLP) or audiology.
  • Credentialed by a state regulatory agency to practice SLP or audiology.
  • Credentialed by a national regulatory agency to practice SLP or audiology.
  • Engaged in a Clinical Fellowship under the supervision of an individual with their ASHA CCC.
  • Currently enrolled in a master's or doctoral program in SLP or audiology.

If an attendee is not an ASHA member or CCC holder but meets any of the above criteria, they may inform the ASHA CE Registry of their eligibility by visiting this site.

Licensing Boards: Most state licensing boards DO accept CEUs earned online (usually classified as home-study credits). Some state boards do, however, place a limit to the number of credits that can be earned via home study/online courses. For the most current information, we suggest that you contact your licensing board or agency to verify acceptance policies and/or any credit limits related to home-study courses prior to registering for this course.

Additional accrediting agencies by which Northern Speech is an approved CE provider:

  • California: NSS is approved as a provider of continuing education by the California Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology Board. Provider #PDP4. Online CEU limits may apply; please contact SLPAHADB for current online CEU acceptance policies.
  • Iowa: NSS is approved as a provider of continuing education by the Iowa Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology Examiners. Provider #169.
  • Kansas: NSS is approved as a provider of continuing education by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Provider #LTS-S0005.
  • Florida: NSS is approved as a provider of continuing education by the Florida Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Board. Provider #SPA-026.
  • New Jersey: NSS is approved as a provider of continuing education by the New Jersey Department of Education. Provider #1654.

Frequently Asked Questions



Customer Support: Please phone 888.337.3866 or email info@northernspeech.com.

Course Completion Timeframe:

You have unlimited time to complete our online courses. You may log off and log on as often as you’d like to in order to complete all sections of a course.

However, completion dates are based on Eastern Standard Time. Therefore, if you need your CEUs by a certain date, be sure to complete the course test before 11:59pm EST on that date. For example, if you need CEUs before January 1st, you will need to complete the course test before 11:59pm EST on December 31st.

Content Access:

Access to course materials and content does not expire, even after completing the post test. You may continue to review course material by logging into your NSS account, clicking the My Online Courses tab, and then viewing your desired course.

Certificate of Completion:

On successful completion of the post test (80%), a certificate will be immediately available for download and/or printing. This certificate will include your name, date of completion (based on Eastern Time Zone, USA/Canada), and number of contact hours (CEUs / CEEs). Please note that CEUs are awarded on the date of successful test completion, not the date of course enrollment. Please ensure that you successfully complete the post test prior to any licensure renewal dates.

ASHA CE Registry Submission:

During the enrollment process, if you select to receive ASHA credit for this course and if you provide your ASHA number, NSS will automatically submit your CEU information to the ASHA CE Registry after successful course completion (80% on post test). This submission happens once per month, during the first week of the month. For example, if you complete your course on November 7th, NSS will submit all November online course CEUs to ASHA during the first week of December. When ASHA inputs the information into their database, they will mark the course as completed on the last day of the month in which it was completed, so November 30th using this example. The certificate of completion available for you to print immediately, however, will reflect the actual completion date, November 7th in this example. Due to ASHA processing procedures please allow 2-3 weeks, from the submission date, for the course to appear on your ASHA transcript.

Purchase Orders:

Purchase orders are currently not accepted for online orders, if you wish to submit a purchase order please do so at info@northernspeech.com or fax to 888-696-9655.

What is an Online Course?

Our Online Courses consist of video, audio, and/or text content and are offered for ASHA CEUs. Unlike a webinar, which requires participants to be logged on and at a computer at specific times, our Online Courses are available to you at any time, from any device, via your NorthernSpeech.com online account. You may work at your own pace and start and stop your course as you wish. Your course will conclude with a short post test. On successful completion of the post test (>80%), a printable certificate of completion is presented to you.

Receiving CEUs:

Northern Speech is an ASHA CE Provider and our online courses are registered with ASHA and offered for ASHA CEUs. Please note that successful completion of the online post test is required prior to the awarding of CEUs. Please contact your state licensing board for acceptance policies related to CEUs earned online. Please note that courses offered for university students are not applicable for CEUs.

Registering for an online course:

You may browse all online courses by clicking the Continuing Education tab above, then Online Courses. Once you find a course, click Enroll Now, and you will be asked to either log into your existing Northern Speech account or create a new online account. Once you’ve entered your account information and provided your credit card payment, your course will be immediately available to you.

Accessing your purchased course or returning to a purchased course:

You will be able to access your online course by logging into your Northern Speech account and then clicking the My Online Courses tab on your profile screen. Click the course you would like to start or to resume. From there, proceed through the course sections until you are ready to complete the post test. You do not have to complete your course all at once. You may log on and off as you wish.

Testing requirements:

Each online course concludes with a post test consisting of multiple choice or true & false questions. Scores of 80% or greater are required for successful course completion and awarding of CEUs. You may revisit course materials and retest as needed to achieve a passing score.

Number of CEUs offered:

We offer courses from 1 to 21 contact hours. Each course will note the number of CEUs offered. Please note that 0.1 CEU = 1 contact hour = 1 CEE.

State licensing boards and online CEUs:

NSS is an ASHA CE Provider and most state licensing boards DO accept ASHA CEUs earned online (usually classified as home-study credits). Some boards do, however, place a limit to the number of CEUs that can be earned via home study/online courses. For the most current information, we suggest that you contact your licensing board or agency to verify acceptance policies and/or any CEU limits related to home-study courses prior to enrolling in an online course.

Course formats:

Our course formats include: text, audio, video, and PowerPoint with author narration. Each course will note the format on the course description page. Most courses include closed captioning.

Course handouts:

Most of our online courses provide a link to download the accompanying handout as a PDF file. 

Group discounts:

Groups of 3 or more are eligible for a 20% discount on each registration on most of our online courses. To receive this discount, registrations need to be processed together via the "Group Rates" tab on the Online Course of your choice.

Computer requirements:

For our online courses to function best, we recommend that you update your computer to include the newest version of your Internet browser (Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Internet Explorer, etc.) and newest version of your computer's operating system. Also a high-speed Internet connection is recommended (cable or DSL). Speakers or headphones will be required for many of our courses as many contain audio components.

Course Cancellation Policy:

A purchased online course can be exchanged, refunded, or transferred to another individual if contact is made with NSS (via phone or email) within 30 days of purchase and the course materials have not been viewed or downloaded. 

Special Needs:

Please click here for any special needs requests, and we will do our best to accommodate them. 

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