4 L-CERPs + 4 R-CERPs

Just One Drop:
Supporting the Immune System with Human Milk

Hope Lima, PhD, RDN, IBCLC

Available now with access through 4/17/2025

Course description
The immune system is fascinating – from the time an individual is born, immune cells are sending messages to teach the body which foreign molecules are benign, and which are a threat. It does take time for a newborn infant’s immune system to function properly; however, evolution has accounted for this. Human milk provides essential bioactive and immune components that support the infant’s developing immune system so that appropriate responses can occur. In this course, you will learn about the basics of the immune system and how it develops, the immunological components in human milk, how breastfeeding is impacts the infant microbiome, and more.

Meet your instructor

Hope Lima, PhD, RDN, IBCLC

Hope became an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) in 2017, completed her PhD in nutritional biochemistry in May 2018, and became a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) in September 2020. In 2022, Hope earned the FARE Certificate of Training in Pediatric Food Allergy and now also provides comprehensive care for families struggling with food allergies. 

Hope is a dietitian and lactation consultant with advanced training in pediatric allergy management

"I am a teacher at heart - whether this is educating families or other professionals."
In addition to owning and operating Hope Feeds Families, Hope is employed full time at Winthrop University as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Human Nutrition. At Winthrop, Hope runs a research lab that focuses on helping mothers to reach their infant feeding goals, improving access to human milk, and analyzing the nutritional content of human milk.

Meet your instructor

Jessie Hoffman, PhD, RD

Jessie Hoffman is a Registered Dietitian, Assistant Professor, and researcher in the field of human nutrition. Her dietetics and research expertise are in gastrointestinal conditions and the gut microbiome. Additionally, Jessie is passionate about scientific and nutritional science communication, and does so regularly through social media. From breaking down nutrition science to busting myths that are so prevalent in today's society, she strives to empower individuals to become responsible consumers of social media content and experts on their own bodies. 

Jessie has over 10 years of expertise working in the field of gastrointestinal health and the gut microbiome.

"My favorite thing about being a dietitian is helping people learn the power of fueling their bodies well."

Learners say 

This course was great in fully understanding how the immune system is as a foundation when baby is born and how uniquely it is developed. I enjoyed learning more about how mom & baby's immune systems interact and build.

Julie Fields, IBCLC

Deep but understandable. Like looking at a 1000 piece puzzle but having someone precisely explain 20 of the key pieces! It contains beautiful nuggets that can be shared with clients.

Kimberly Connor IBCLC

This course helped my to be able to answer questions from my clients about how breastfeeding can potentially improve their child's health 

Judith L. Gutowski, BA, IBCLC

Start learning now!

Knowledge Gap
Many practitioners provide evidence-based recommendations, but sometimes do not understand the why behind the recommendations. For individuals seeking a greater depth of knowledge, this course will allow providers to understand WHY breastfeeding is so important for a developing infant from the lens of immune protection.
Objectives

01

Create a diagram of the immune system, including innate and adaptive immune systems.

02

Describe the process by which the immune system develops from infancy through 2 years of life.

03

Discuss the importance of breastfeeding through an immunological lens 

04

Develop a plan of care for an exclusively human milk fed infant struggling with non-IgE-mediated allergic disorders
IBLCE Content Outline
I A2. Food intolerances/allergies
I B3. Composition of human milk
I A11. Term development and growth
VII A2. Handling and storage of human milk

Course Lessons

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