International Board Certified Lactation Consultant example essay topic

Lactation Consulting 1 Running head: THE ROLE OF A LACTATION CONSULTANT The Role of a Lactation Consultant Laurel Kaiser Methodist College Of Nursing Nursing 350 Lactation Consulting 2 Lactation consultants are a vital part of the healthcare system. Together with the rest of the healthcare team they make sure that mother and baby's care as a breastfeeding pair is complete. The International Board Certified Lactation Consultant represents the 'gold standard' in lactation consultant credentialing. Lactation consultants who carry the credentials IBCLC behind their names are specially trained and qualified to assist with every aspect of breastfeeding.

I chose the topic of lactation consulting because I feel strongly about being a breastfeeding advocate. I believe that those in the healthcare field, especially the people involved in woman^aEURTMs health and pediatrics should be knowledgeable in this area. After all it has been found that breast milk is the best source of nutrition for infants. There many advantages to breastfeeding! Research shows that breastfed infants have fewer and shorter episodes of illness. The nutrition provided by breast milk benefits the baby^aEURTMs IQ.

The skin-to-skin contact encouraged by breastfeeding offers babies greater emotional security and enhances bonding. Breastfeeding appears to reduce the risk of obesity and hypertension for the infant later in life. Breastfeeding delays the onset of hereditary allergic disease, and lowers the risk of developing allergic disease. Breastfeeding helps the baby^aEURTMs immune system mature, protecting the baby in the meantime from viral, bacteria, and parasitic infections. Breastfeeding protects against developing chronic diseases such as: celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, asthma, and childhood cancers. (Shinskie and Lauwers, 2002) Lactation Consulting 3 Breastfeeding is best for mom too.

Increased levels of oxytocin stimulate postpartum uterine contractions, reducing blood loss and encouraging uterine contractions. From 3 months to 12 months postpartum, breastfeeding increases the rate of weight loss in most nursing mothers. Breastfeeding has even been found to lessen the severity of postpartum depression by keeping the hormonal levels more balanced. Breastfeeding also reduces the mother^aEURTMs risk for breast cancer, cervical cancer, and osteoporosis, (Shinskie and Lauwers, 2002).

It is important that the lactation consultant collaborate with the mother shortly after delivery to eliminate frustration and prevent the abandonment of breastfeeding. Collaboration ensures that the mom and baby start reaping the benefits of breastfeeding right from the start. The definition of an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) is: ^aEURoeThe allied health care provider who possesses the necessary skills, knowledge, and attitudes to facilitate breastfeeding. With a focus on preventive health care, she encourages self- care and parental decision- making prenatally and postnatally. In addition Ibclc use a problem solving approach to provide appropriate information recommendations and referrals, in a variety of settings^a EUR.