The NDC Masterclasses +
Accreditation Pathway

Step 1: The NDC Masterclasses

Clinical fundamentals

Although 96% of Australian women intend to breastfeed, only 39% are doing so without formula by three months. In the same first months up to 38% of parents report infant sleep problems and about 20% report crying problems. Both breastfeeding difficulty and infant regulatory problems have bidirectional relationships with postnatal anxiety and depression; both are critical modifiable risk factors for maternal mood disorders and later child development challenges.

Health professionals consistently report they do not feel adequately trained in these domains. The two NDC Masterclasses teach focused, evidence-based assessment and management for both, applicable in time-constrained consultations. They form the first step of the NDC Accreditation Pathway for registered health professionals, but can be completed as standalone courses.

Step 2: NDC Accreditation

Core qualification

NDC Accreditation builds on the Masterclasses, translating the NDC frameworks into advanced clinical skills and supporting your consolidation of these skills. On completion, you will be certified as an NDC Accredited Practitioner, listed on our register and searchable on our international map.

Step 3: Maintenance of NDC Accreditation

Staying current & licensed

NDC is updated as new research is published. Maintenance is an annual membership that keeps your practice current and your NDC Accredited status and licence active. It also retains all your benefits, such as access to the Resource Hub, your Find an NDC Practitioner listing, the NDC Network, your patient referral code, and Live Network Hours. Participation is self-paced, at a recommended minimum of 15 hours across three years. Maintenance membership makes you eligible for the NDC Lactation Fellowship.

Step 4: The NDC Lactation Fellowship

The summit

The NDC Lactation Fellowship is the fourth and final step of the Neuroprotective Developmental Care (NDC or Possums) pathway, and the highest level of training offered by The NDC Institute. It is newly finalised in 2026 and has been developed over many years. It is open to NDC Accredited Practitioners enrolled in Maintenance, and provides advanced upskilling in breastfeeding and lactation medicine. The Fellowship curriculum contains all content recommended by the North American Board of Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine, and more. It also covers all content recommended by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners, and the content can be self-logged for IBLCE recertification. The Fellowship's 29 modules are led by Dr Pamela Douglas and include contributions from 20+ invited researchers, clinicians and educators. On completion, you are able to use the title NDC Lactation Fellow.