Campbell1

Celeste Campbell

Ms. Mantlo

English 4

April 6, 2017

Research paper
Lactation consultant is becoming an increasingly popular career, and the profession as a

paid specialist has grown since 1985. Lactation consultants are specialist trained to focus on the

needs and concerns of the breastfeeding mother-baby pair. The lactation consultants have the

responsibility to teach new moms how to breastfeed, and answer any questions new moms might

have. They prevent, recognize, and solve any breastfeeding issues that may develop. To become

a lactation consultant requires a nursing degree, breastfeeding management classes and a list of

desired qualities of the nurse-mentor. Lactation consulting is an extension service and does not

replace those of other healthcare workers including nurses, doctors, and technicians. Those who

get certification as lactation consultants can be nurses, WIC peer counselors, and those who work

in clinics, physician's offices, and hospitals. The IBCLC is the International Board of Certified

Lactation Consultants.The IBCLC certification is a formalised lactation education program with

approved curriculum offered by accredited insulation.

The history of lactation consultants started when family members would share their

knowledge of breastfeeding to other family members, neighbors and friends.. As childbirth came

to be managed by health professionals in hospitals and formula feeding became normal,

knowledge of lactation was set aside. The International Board of Consultants lactation Examiners

was founded in 1988 by the La Leche League. In 1982 Le Leche league formed its lactation

consultants department. From this grew the concept of the need for a new health care worker and
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in 1985 the Independent Certification Board (IBLCE) was formed (Brooks). Lactation

consultant as a profession started to rise in the 1970s and 80s. During this time there was talk

about the benefits of breastfeeding and many more people started to realize the importance of

lactation consultants. During the 1960s mothers who breastfed went to breastfeeding support

groups and they became a major role in assistance on how to breastfeed. As these groups became

more popular the volunteers that worked for the group began to ask to be paid. because they had

so much knowledge of breastfeeding.

When becoming a lactation consultant you need to have an associates degree, or a

bachelor's degree in nursing. Health care providers looking to support breastfeeding families can

attend short term courses in breastfeeding management. All facilities seeking designation under

the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI), require all healthcare workers in mother- baby

health to take a 20-hour course in basic breastfeeding management. In addition to education,

desired qualities of a L.C are leadership experience, motivation, and a supportive persona. Being

certified is the last step to becoming a lactation consultation. The International Board Certified

Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) is the only international certification in breastfeeding and human

lactation awarded. Being certified is important because it allows employers, regulator and the

public to confirm an individual is certified. This is important when working in many different

facilities.

Those who become certified lactation consultants include WIC peer counselors and

newborn affiliated clinics physicians and hospitals. In many states there are laws requiring that

any institution providing care for new mothers and babies had to have at least one person on staff

who is designates to provide breastfeeding assistance to patients. In order to have a successful

lactation program it requires the department heads including the director of maternity nursing,
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the director of the pediatric unit, the chairman, or medical director of family medicine. These

department heads are critical to having a successful lactation program for the lactation

consultant. Mentoring plays an important role for any clinically based profession, especially a

new specially. An LC is a trusted counselor, guide, or coach, and nurtures the mother-baby pair

with advice, information, and support.

The 1990s families and mothers depended on each other to assist them on breastfeeding.

Then the 1990s could be called the decade for widespread emergence of breastfeeding programs

and clinics. Over the past two decades lactation programs proliferated rapidly. Most hospitals

birth centers require location service to have ,staffed certified lactation specialist, these now have

grown in numbers and visibility. The field of lactation, now in its third decade, is now a

healthcare speciality. Most hospitals offer a licensed specialist provided by IBCLCs. There are

even physicians offering breastfeeding speciality in their private practices. In a LC career a

healthy mother and thriving baby are results of a well documented and licensed practice L.C

Works Cited
Brooks C. Elisabeth. The lactation consultant: Roles and Responsibilities.

Dobrich, Carole. "Becoming a Lactation Consultant?" Health e-Learning. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Apr.

2017.
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Quan, Kathy. The everything new nurse book: gain confidence, manage your schedule, and deal

with the unexpected. Avon, MA: Adams Media, 2011. Print.

Staricka, Christina. "A Day in the Life of US Hospital Based IBCLC." Lactation Matters. N.p.,

04 Oct. 2012. Web. 23 Mar. 2017