What is a Lactation
Consultant?
International Board
Certified Lactation Consultants {IBCLC}--in other
words, trained and certified breastfeeding
specialists--help mothers breastfeed their babies in
normal and in challenging situations. A lactation
consultant is a specialist who has passed the IBCLC
examination.
A Lactation Consultant's
training is extensive. The IBCLC exam focuses on
lactation and also involves disciplines such as
anatomy and physiology, nutrition and biochemistry,
immunology and infections disease, pathology,
pharmacology and toxicology, psychology, sociology,
anthropology, growth parameters and developmental
milestones, research, ethical and legal issues and
breastfeeding equipment and technology, techniques
and public health and advocacy. The standards are
set at a university level of difficulty, and one
must meet specific eligibility criteria before being
approved to sit for the certification exam.
Lactation
Services at LMC:
Lactation Consultants
help with:
-
Position and latch
on challenges
-
Potential milk
supply challenges
-
Concerns with infant
intake and weight gain
-
Education and
assistance with breast pumps
-
Assessment and
management of breast and nipple problems such as
engorgement, sore nipples, and breast pain,
mastitis, breast augmentation and reductions
-
Back to work issues
-
Weaning issues
Lactation Services
included at LMC:
-
Prenatal education
-
Initial assessment
at hospital
-
Follow-ups prior to
discharge from the hospital
-
Telephone support
-
Ongoing assessments
in home are now offered.
Links
Please visit the
following sites for more information:
International Lactation Consultant Association
http://ilca.org/
For breastfeeding information, support, and attitude
http://breastfeeding.com/
International Board of Lactation Consultant
Examiners
http://www.iblce.org/
La Leche League International
http://lalecheleague.org/
