Abstract:

Starting from 2012, the two Universities (Tallinn Health Care College and Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied sciences) have collaborated in organizing the Breastfeeding and Early Interaction Course using integrated contact learning and virtual studies in an e-learning environment. The course is for the nursing, midwifery and public health nursing students as well as for the exchange students and Occupational Therapy, Oral Health and other health related fields students from both institutions. Students have the opportunity to choose between two models: virtual or face to face. Most of the study process takes place in a Moodle environment and students meet virtually or face to face (three days in both Universities).

For nearly all infants, breastfeeding is the best source of infant nutrition and immunologic protection and it has important health benefits for the mother as well. Current World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and implementation guidance state that all infants, including small, sick and/or preterm infants, should be fed human milk. Also the risks of not breastfeeding for women is well known. Mothers need assistance and support from their health care providers and families to guarantee the healthiest start to life for their newborn.

Current mobility model is Erasmus that enables study abroad for students across EU countries but are not inclusive as not all students are in a financial or personal situation that means they can study abroad. This study course have done a pioneering work on education of multidisciplinary, multicultural professionals on an inclusive joint effort.

After completing the Breastfeeding Course, students are capable of giving clinical breastfeeding counseling and help mothers with lactation problems. They have a basic knowledge of early interaction, postpartum physiology, newborn adaption and various situations requiring special attention or breastfeeding counseling. Finding and evaluating new inclusive ways to widen opportunities in transnational learning and the development of intercultural sensitivity is an urgent priority (even more in the context of a pandemic).

Keywords:

Breastfeeding, interaction, mobility model, erasmus.