Infant-Driven Feeding™ Advancing Oral Feeding Practice in the NICU

The Infant-Driven Feeding™ (IDF™) Program is a systematic neurodevelopmental model of care created to advance oral feeding practice in the NICU. In this model, the culture and practice of feeding is deeply rooted in neurodevelopment, begins at admission, and sets the stage for long-term feeding success. The course is interactive, relevant, practical and literature based. The content educates the learner on the theoretical and practical application of the IDF™ model. The learner engages in 8 chapters that provide a framework for improving oral feeding practice in the NICU. It introduces a user-friendly structure to a practice that needs consistency and objectivity.

Learning Objectives

• Describe how to create at least 2 nurturing feeding experiences for infants and parents.
• Identify the 7 key components of IDF™ using the SUCCESS framework
• List at least 3 appropriate caregiver support strategies and indications for use with the NICU population
• Name 3 benefits of implementing IDF™ in the NICU

Course Outline

• Chapter 1: Support Development
• Chapter 2: Unify Team
• Chapter 3: Change Culture
• Chapter 4: Create Experiences
• Chapter 5: Establish Systems
• Chapter 6: Strategize Interventions
• Chapter 7: Sustain Progress
• Chapter 8: Promoting Breastfeeding Success
• Test

Each chapter includes interactive exercises and knowledge checks as well as a family story to illustrate how clinical content applies to family education and feeding success. Video included in some chapters. Audio connection necessary.

Instructional Method: On-demand online distance learning includes lecture, Powerpoint slides, handouts, learning assessment, and course evaluation.

Course Completion Requirements: The learner must view the entire course, complete the course evaluation, and complete the post-course learning assessment to receive education credit.

Speakers and Disclosures:

Kara Ann Waitzman, OTR/L, CNT, NTMTC has no real or potential conflicts of interest to report, financial or non-financial.
Sue Ludwig, OTR/L, CNT has no financial disclosures. Nonfinancial disclosure as President/Founder of National Association of Neonatal Therapists.
Kelly Andrasik McLeod, DOT, OTR/L, BCP, IBCLC, CNT provides continuing education courses through The Lactation OT. No non-financial disclosures.

Nursing: Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider #16677 for 5.0 Contact Hours. Participant required to attend 80% of the activity to receive CE.

Dr. Brown’s Medical is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development. PD activity approval ID# 03046. This distance learning – independent program is offered at 0.5 CEUs, educational level, Intermediate. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA.

PNFC, LLC is an ASHA Approved CE Provider (Provider Code ABHY). This Self-Study Course is offered at 5 contact hours (0.5 CEUs, Intermediate level). No partial credit will be given. CEUs are awarded by the ASHA CE Registry upon receipt of the CEU Participant Form from PNFC, LLC. ASHA CE Provider approval and use of the ASHA Brand Block does not imply endorsement of course content, specific products, or clinical procedures.

For questions or concerns, or ADA accommodations, please contact: medinfo@drbrownsmedical.com

Benefits of a Single-User License purchase

Licenses purchased for an individual and/or for a smaller group of professionals within a NICU.

• IDF™ Individual Completion Certificate
• Individual Use Only Scales – cannot be distributed or shared within a team
• IDF™ updated bibliography

Benefits of a Unit Wide Program Purchase

Licensed purchase for a unit wide training for all staff in the NICU

• IDF™ Individual Completion Certificate
• Designated IDF Advisor with support from Pre-purchase through Go-Live

• Program implementation checklist offers easy to understand tasks lists for a executing a successful program
• Administrative access to unit-specific reports
• IDF™ Scales Reference Cards
• QI Project Guide
• Permissions letter to upload IDF™ Scale into EMR
• IDF™ Education Template for instruction handout
• Press Release for hospital to post on website/newsletters, etc.
• Certificate validating an “IDF™ Certified NICU” upon completion of program
• Access to IDF™ private Facebook page including IDF™ support with the program
• Free Monthly team phone call with your IDF Advisor during implementation process and following the launch of the program
• “Go-Live” presence with your IDF Advisor either in person or virtually

The Infant-Driven Feeding™ Program was originally created in 2014 with an additional Breastfeeding Module added in 2022, as a comprehensive program to ensure, through the education of neonatal caregivers, all infants receive positive oral feeding experiences that include pleasurable human interactions; skin-to-skin bonding; support of life-long development; and ultimately contributes to the overall growth and nutrition of all infants in their care.

While maintaining the voice and content of the original authors, the program is periodically updated with current research trends, standard-of-care practices, and improved functionality. In 2022, an additional chapter was created to further support breastfeeding in the NICU, with contributions by Kelly Andrasik McLeod, OTD, OTR/L, BCP, IBCLC, CNT and credible peer reviewers.

®2020 Handi‐Craft Company. All Rights Reserved.
Unauthorized reproduction of the IDF™ and/or IDF™ Scales materials is prohibited. Dr. Brown’s®, the Dr. Brown’s Medical logo and all other trademarks are owned or used under license by Handi‐Craft Company.
For more information: medinfo@drbrownsmedical.com