The Occupational Therapist's Role in Breastfeeding
A free CEU for OTs to explore OT’s role in supporting breastfeeding dyads


Blending the art and science of lactation and occupational therapy.
Have you ever thought about becoming a lactation consultant, or how to better support breastfeeding dyads as an occupational therapist?
This 1-hour, self-paced continuing education course will teach you about the role of occupational therapy in supporting breastfeeding dyads. OTs are uniquely qualified to work with the mother/parent, infant, and family unit.
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The Occupational Therapist's Role in Breastfeeding
An overview of how lactation services and working with breastfeeding dyads fit into the OT scope of practice. What you need to feel confident to get started — and how to get more training if you choose to specialize in this unique area of practice.
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What's Included...
The Occupational Therapist's Role in Breastfeeding
Let Us Help You Connect the Dots.
In this course, we'll cover:
- A thorough overview of the Occupational Therapy Framework IV (OTPF IV)
- The importance of breastfeeding for health promotion
- The role of the occupational therapy practitioner in supporting the breastfeeding dyad
- Examples of various settings and potential opportunities to gain hands-on lactation hours
- BONUS VIDEO: How to reach out to professionals for mentorship opportunities
Learning Objectives

Welcome
Includes disclosures and downloads for the online course.

Video Lessons
This is a self-paced, online CEU course. You’re welcome to re-watch the videos and learn more about how occupational therapy and lactation fit together.

Assessment
Once you complete the course in its entirety, you are eligible to complete a multiple-choice post-assessment. A passing score of at least 80% is required to receive your certificate.
Learning Objectives
1. Identify three areas of occupation related to breastfeeding
2. Identify three performance skills related to breastfeeding
3. Identify three types of intervention and three approaches to intervention, as listed in the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework, 4th edition
Instructor
Marissa Yahil, MSOT, OTR/L, CBS, IBCLC
Marissa is a licensed Occupational Therapist (OTR/L), Certified Breastfeeding Specialist™, and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).
Marissa works exclusively with mother-infant pairs prenatally and during the first 9 months postpartum.
Prenatally, she educates and empowers her clients with evidence-based information about lactation, breastfeeding, and bottle feeding so that they can go into their birth as prepared as possible.
Postpartum, Marissa offers a holistic and integrated approach to lactation support and feeding therapy in order to help her clients achieve their individual goals.
Disclosures:
- Marissa is the co-owner of The Lactation OT
- She owns a private practice, Lactation & Development Resources LLC
- She has no relevant non-financial relationships to disclose

Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this class for?
This CEU course is designed for occupational therapists or occupational therapy assistants that are interested in how they can work with lactating parents and/or breastfeeding dyads.
Are there prerequisites for this course?
This free OT CEU course is meant to be introductory for occupational therapy practitioners. There are no recommended prerequisites.
Information about AOTA CEUs
This course is approved for 0.1 AOTA CEUs for occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants. Participants will be required to:
- Complete the course in its entirety (100% of the course watched)
- Complete a multiple-choice post-assessment with a passing score of at least 80% (untimed test, 3 retakes)
How do I request special accommodation?
Please send us an email at [email protected] at least 14 days before starting the course with further details of your request.
What is your cancellation policy?
This course is not eligible for refunds since there is no registration fee.
I loved this free CEU course and want to dive into more! What other CEU courses do you offer?
We’re so glad you loved this course! OTs have unique skills and practice scope that lends well to specializing in infant feeding, development, lactation, and supporting the family unit postpartum. Check out this page to see our other courses.

If you’ve been curious about OTs role in breastfeeding or lactation services — this course is for you. Deepen your understanding and decide if this specialty area of practice is right for you!
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We also offer course bundles when you’re ready to dive all-in to lactation-focused, infant-specific education



Tethered Oral Tissues Badge (15 hours)
- Supporting Oral Motor Skills in the Infant: Assessment, Adaptation, and Remediation
- Tongue Ties, Breastfeeding, and the Lactation Savvy Therapist
Therapeutic Bottle Feeding (17.75 hours)
- Supporting Oral Motor Skills in the Infant: Assessment, Adaptation, and Remediation
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Mixed Feeding: How to make Individualized, evidence-based recommendations to support families supplementing with infant formula
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Bottle Feeding Skills: Refining Clinical Reasoning for Selection and Use
Medically Fragile Infant (14 hours)
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Breastfeeding Assessment and Intervention for the Medically Fragile Infant: Reframing the Clinical Approach
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Failure to Thrive, Suboptimal Weight Gain, and the Lactation Savvy Therapist
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Tube to Breast: Navigating the Transition from Enteral Feeding to Breastfeeding