Home > Are you a Health Care Professional?

Are you a Health Care Professional?

What is a Lactation Consultant?

An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) is an allied health care professional who has a background in health, nutrition, counseling or other areas. Also known as “Lactation Consultants (LC’s)” they are required to have a thorough working knowledge of a wide variety of scientific disciplines. Certification is obtained through many hours of clinical experience and lactation-specific education after which candidates must successfully pass the comprehensive examination administered by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners. Recertification is required at 5 year intervals.

What does an LC do?

An IBCLC is an expert in Lactation and Breastfeeding management. The LC’s role is to enable and empower women to achieve their breastfeeding goals. LC’s work to assist families to prevent and overcome difficulties. They collaborate with the other members of the health care team and have the knowledge, skill and expertise to work with mothers and their infants in both routine and special circumstances. Services may include prenatal consultations, breastfeeding classes, identifying risk factors to continued breastfeeding, helping a mother overcome health, well-being, and lifestyle issues that may affect breastfeeding, one-on-one in-home and clinic-based consultations, breastfeeding crisis management, collaboration, education, and advocacy.

Does your client need a Lactation Consultant?

MATERNAL INDICATORS

Breast surgery, such as reduction

Previous pregnancy or lactation failure

Minimal breast changes during pregnancy

Chronic illness or hormonal conditions

Breast or nipple asymmetry/tubular breasts

Difficult or traumatic birth experience

Breast or nipple pain and/or trauma

Anxiety related to breastfeeding

Severe engorgement/plugged ducts/yeast

Low milk supply

Desire to wean off supplemental feeds

Multiple births

Re-lactation and adoptive breastfeeding

INFANT INDICATORS

Sick, premature, malformations, cleft palate, down syndrome, etc.

Difficult or prolonged birth

Post-birth separation from mother

Difficulty achieving or maintaining latch

Insufficient sucking abilities

Suspected oral aversion, trauma, or pain

Refusing breast when offered

Pulling off of breast repeatedly

Suspected constant hunger

Loss of weight or slow weight gain

Lethargic or very sleepy

Clients can be referred to Karyn-grace Clarke, IBCLC, RLC

Direct: 250-739-3146

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it