Breastfeeding and Adequate Substitutes (Coursera)

Breastfeeding and Adequate Substitutes (Coursera)

Ensuring adequate nutrition is essential for infants to reach their full potential, as early-life nutritional imbalances and deficiencies may result in detrimental and often irreversible adverse health consequences. "Breastfeeding and Adequate Substitutes" focuses on the important aspects of human milk composition, human lactation, breastfeeding practices, and the use of breastmilk substitutes.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Coursera's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

In addition to the theoretical and practical aspects of infant nutrition, we also provide the latest research findings and international recommendations in this field in order to improve the health of children around the world. Additionally, you will get a glimpse of various infant feeding experiences of parents from different parts of the world.

Syllabus

WEEK 1
Welcome to Breastfeeding and Adequate Substitutes

WEEK 2
Unit 1: Breastmilk Composition and Health Benefits
In this unit, we will focus on the anatomy and physiology of human lactation along with various health benefits that breastfeeding provides to both mothers and infants, and the myriad of components that make human milk such a unique nature masterpiece.

WEEK 3
Unit 2: The Practice of Breastfeeding
In this unit, we will explore the practical aspects of breastfeeding. For example, how to achieve a proper position and latch, the various challenges that may arise, and the role of healthcare professionals in supporting a successful and comfortable breastfeeding journey for the family. Additionally, we will look at breastfeeding statistics worldwide, concluding that breastfeeding is not a one-woman job, but a collective effort that requires participation and support of the whole society.

WEEK 4
Unit 3: Breastmilk Substitutes (BMS)
In this unit, we will discuss the criteria for choosing the right breastmilk substitute (BMS) required for the proper growth and development of infants who are fully or partially formula-fed. In addition, we will demonstrate the adequate procedure for the preparation of bottles and a correct bottle-feeding technique, which are also applicable for feeding breastmilk to an infant through a bottle. Towards the end, we will provide an overview of the regulations in place to prevent the inappropriate promotion of BMS, which may undermine breastfeeding.

WEEK 5
Key Messages & Final Words

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

The Science of Gastronomy (Coursera) Coursera
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology - HKUST

The Science of Gastronomy (Coursera)

This course introduces a number of basic scientific principles underpinning the methodology of cooking, food preparation and the enjoyment of food. All topics covered have a strong basis in biology, chemistry, and physics application. Among others, they include the consumption of cooked food, the physiological and evolutionary implication of the senses, geographic and cultural influences on food, and the rationale behind food preparation. We will also discuss issues such as coupling of senses to improve sense stimulation; altering flavor by chemical means; and modification of the coloration to improve the appearance of dishes. Following the video demonstrations of the scientific principles of cooking, you will learn to recognize the key ingredients and their combinations for preparing good healthy food.

Sep 1st 2026
5-12 Weeks
Hacking Exercise For Health. The surprising new science of fitness. (Coursera) Coursera
McMaster University

Hacking Exercise For Health. The surprising new science of fitness. (Coursera)

Renowned exercise physiologists Martin Gibala and Stuart Phillips of McMaster University teach the surprising new science of cardio fitness and strength-building—and then provide you with hacks to get fit and strong (and healthy!) in less time than you ever thought possible. What’s the right mix of exercise between cardio and strength? How do you know if you’re working out hard enough? What’s better, heavy or light weights? These questions and more are addressed through a course designed to provide even the most inexperienced of exercisers the tools you need to design time-efficient workouts that can be done virtually anywhere, from your own home to a city park or even at your workplace.

Sep 7th 2026
4 Weeks
National Academy of Sports Medicine Nutrition Essentials (Coursera) Coursera
National Academy of Sports Medicine

National Academy of Sports Medicine Nutrition Essentials (Coursera)

NASM's Nutrition Coaching Essentials enables you to provide evidence-based guidance to those seeking to improve body composition, athletic performance, and health. By successfully completing this program, you will have the knowledge and abilities to leverage nutrition education to increase your client's success, reduce turnover, and maximize adherence.

Aug 31st 2026
1 Week
Sustainable Food Production Through Livestock Health Management (Coursera) Coursera
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Sustainable Food Production Through Livestock Health Management (Coursera)

Learn about the impact of infectious disease on sustainable animal-based food production by understanding the science of growth, immunity, and infection and by learning the problem-solving skills needed to advance animal health and food production through optimal management practices. In this course we will explore the effect of infectious disease on sustainable animal-based food production. The content and learning outcomes of this new course will be designed to be relevant across different food production sectors (i.e., beef, dairy, poultry, and pigs).

Sep 7th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Lactation Biology (Coursera) Coursera
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Lactation Biology (Coursera)

Lactation and especially milk, which is the product of that unique mammalian process, are routinely encountered within our daily lives. Nevertheless, they often are poorly understood by many, even including many who are engaged in the business of producing milk. The overall course goal is to introduce fundamental concepts that form the basis for understanding the biology of lactation, the biology of the mammary gland, and the products of that important physiological process.

Aug 24th 2026
5-12 Weeks
An Introduction to the U.S. Food System: Perspectives from Public Health (Coursera) Coursera
Johns Hopkins University

An Introduction to the U.S. Food System: Perspectives from Public Health (Coursera)

A food system encompasses the activities, people and resources involved in getting food from field to plate. Along the way, it intersects with aspects of public health, equity and the environment. In this course, we will provide a brief introduction to the U.S. food system and how food production practices and what we choose to eat impacts the world in which we live. Through several case studies, we will discuss some key historical and political factors that have helped shape the current food system and consider alternative approaches from farm to fork.

Sep 14th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Diabetes - the Essential Facts (Coursera) Coursera
University of Copenhagen

Diabetes - the Essential Facts (Coursera)

Across the world more than 420 million people are living with diabetes. Two thirds of these have not yet been diagnosed. When discovered late or managed incorrectly, diabetes can damage your heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves, leading to disability and premature death. In fact, more people are dying of diabetes related diseases than of diseases as HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined. This course will provide you with an introduction to the most recent research in the field of prevention and treatment of diabetes as well as a broader understanding of the situation in different communities, rich and poor, across the world, where diabetes threatens public health.

Sep 13th 2026
3 Weeks
Emergency Care: Pregnancy, Infants, and Children (Coursera) Coursera
University of Colorado System

Emergency Care: Pregnancy, Infants, and Children (Coursera)

Welcome to the final course of lectures in your quest to master EMT basics. In this course, we will cover some of the highest-stress patient populations: pregnant patients and kids, also known as pediatrics. To wrap up your EMT knowledge we will end this course with information about hazmat situations, extricating patients from tight spots and finally how you write a note about your patient care. You will learn to ensure it communicates what your assessment of the patient was, what interventions you performed and why you did them.

Aug 31st 2026
4 Weeks
Alimentación y dietética para una vuelta al mundo a vela (Coursera) Coursera
University of Barcelona

Alimentación y dietética para una vuelta al mundo a vela (Coursera)

Comer bien en una vuelta al mundo no es tarea fácil . Aprenda cómo equilibrar alta nutrición con practicidad mientras navega alrededor del mundo. Este curso pretende introducirte en el mundo de la preparación de los deportistas que participan en regatas de navegación transoceánica, como la Barcelona World Race.

Sep 7th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Understanding Obesity (Coursera) Coursera
University of Edinburgh

Understanding Obesity (Coursera)

In this course, we’ll look at the facts and misconceptions around obesity and discuss key physiological and psychological concepts around the brain’s control of appetite and body weight. We’ll consider the biological and environmental pressures that make it easy to gain weight (and hard to lose it!). Most importantly, we'll give you the opportunity to reflect on your own knowledge and assumptions around the subject.

Aug 24th 2026
4 Weeks
Life 101: Mental and Physical Self-Care (Coursera) Coursera
University of California, Irvine

Life 101: Mental and Physical Self-Care (Coursera)

This course will cover various topics that would teach students healthy lifestyle choices, the importance of mental and physical health and self-care. For each topic, an evidence-based lecture that would include scientific evidence will be presented and then students will be provided practical methods to practice what they have learned from the lectures. One of the main goals of this course is to inspire students to adopt a healthy lifestyle.

Sep 14th 2026
5-12 Weeks