Lactation Services

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 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

• 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/

For more information about Lakeview Medical Center's Lactation Consultant, please contact Tracy Schieffer at 715-236-6215 or  schieffer.tracy@lakeviewmedical.org