| Effective Term: | 2026/05 |
| Institute / School : | Institute of Health and Wellbeing |
| Unit Title: | Infant and Child Nutrition |
| Unit ID: | HEALM6306 |
| Credit Points: | 15.00 |
| Prerequisite(s): | Nil |
| Co-requisite(s): | Nil |
| Exclusion(s): | Nil |
| ASCED: | 060303 |
| Other Change: | |
| Brief description of the Unit |
Upon completion of this unit, students will demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and clinical competence in infant and child nutrition, with a focus on supporting families from birth to six years of age. They will apply advanced assessment skills and evidence-based strategies to deliver tailored nutrition advice, education, and support within a family-centred care framework. Students will understand the significance of optimal nutrition in shaping long-term and intergenerational health outcomes, and will be equipped to advocate for breastfeeding and healthy eating practices in alignment with primary health care and public health policy. They will also apply family assessment models and tools to identify nutritional needs and challenges, enabling them to provide responsive, culturally appropriate care to diverse and vulnerable populations. |
| Grade Scheme: | Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF) |
| Work Experience Indicator: |
| No work experience |
| Placement Component: | |
| Supplementary Assessment:Yes |
| Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment |
| Course Level: |
| Level of Unit in Course | AQF Level(s) of Course | | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | | Introductory | | | | | | | | Intermediate | | | |  | | | | Advanced | | | | | | |
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| Learning Outcomes: |
| Knowledge: |
| K1. | Critically examine the role of health care practitioners in promoting and supporting breastfeeding and optimal nutrition within a family-centred care framework. |
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| K2. | Evaluate the relationship between nutrition and the health status of infants and children, integrating contemporary research to inform practice. |
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| Skills: |
| S1. | Conduct comprehensive feeding and nutritional assessments for infants and children up to six years of age, using appropriate screening tools. |
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| S2. | Demonstrate culturally responsive communication skills to collaborate with families and develop accessible feeding plans, including for complex feeding challenges. |
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| Application of knowledge and skills: |
| A1. | Advocate for infants, children, and families within the health care system, applying primary health care and public health principles to nutrition-related care. |
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| A2. | Integrate contemporary research evidence to develop, implement, and evaluate nutritional care plans for infants and children. |
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| A3. | Assess infant's and children's nutritional status, identify deviations from expected development, and initiate appropriate referrals to health or community services. |
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| Unit Content: |
The International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBCLE) International Board Certified Lactation Consultant® (IBCLC®) Detailed Content Outline (2016); WHO/UNICEF Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding (2006); WHO/UNICEF Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative (2009); WHO International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes (1981); Australian National Breastfeeding Strategy: 2019 and Beyond (2019); 2010 Australian National Infant Feeding Survey (2010); NHMRC Infant Feeding Guidelines: Information for health workers (2012); ANMAC Midwife Accreditation Standards (2021); NMBA Midwife Standards for Practice (2018); NMBA Code of Conduct for the Midwife (2018), Code of Ethics for the Midwife (2014), NMBA Registered Nurse Standards for Practice (2016); NMBA Code of Conduct for nurses (2018), Code of Ethics for nurses (2012) and Maternal and Child Health Service Standards (2019); VAMCHN Professional Standards for Practice (2024) have substantially informed the syllabus/content of this unit. - Global perspectives of breastfeeding and nutrition
- Early breastfeeding considerations
- Breastfeeding throughout infancy and childhood
- Common breastfeeding difficulties
- Breast milk substitutes
- Developmental perspectives of nutrition
- Introduction of solids
- Nutrition for the infant and child
- Complex feeding issues
- Contemporary issues in nutrition
- Health professional's role in nutrition
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| Graduate Attributes: |
| | Learning Outcomes Assessed | Assessment Tasks | Assessment Type | Weighting | | 1. | K2, A2, A3 | Nutritional concept map. | Concept Map | 20-40% | | 2. | K1, K2, S1, S2, A1, A2, A3 | Application of theoretical concepts to an infant or child feeding issue. | Written Task or Video Presentation | 30-50% | | 3. | K2, S2, A1, A2, A3 | Theoretical concepts, knowledge and skills required to partner with families to provide evidence based information and assessment/management regarding infant and child nutrition. | Oral Test | 40-60% |
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