Essay about The Role of a Lactation Consultant

Positive messages about breastfeeding should be evident in the midwife’s practice room (Ewles and Simnett, 2003). Literature and posters that promote breastfeeding can be prominently displayed. All magazines and literature in the waiting room can be examined to ensure that there are no unwanted advertisements or promotions of formula.

The audience intended for this paper are mothers that have a desire to breastfeed, employers, clinicians, breastfeeding advocacy groups and federal and state legislators involved in policy change.

Positioning & Attachment Positioning can help make attachment more effective and comfortable. The baby needs to be able to take a large mouthful of breast and feed effectively without causing mum and don't feel discomfort. Specially in the first days, you may find it more comfortable to feed lying in a semi reclined position, with body and head completely supported. In this position baby feeds while lying on mother stomach, with their body and legs downwards. This way your baby can move towards nipple and breast itself or with help if needed. Mum can prefer to breastfeed sitting up with baby lying across her body or in a rugby hold. It is important the mum is sitting comfortably with her back well supported or sitting comfortably with feet

Very few experts disagree with the fact that breastfeeding is the optimal choice for the infant. However, decreasing breastfeeding rates raise many questions as to why mothers are not choosing the best nutritional choice for their children. Despite breast milk being the obvious choice for infant feeding due to the health, psychological, and economic benefits, many mothers still decide to feed their infants formula due to lack of knowledge and support, difficulties with breastfeeding, and social embarrassment. Changes need to be made with formula companies, medical professionals, and the public opinion of breastfeeding in order to give nursing mothers the support they deserve.

Another important clinical competency I experienced while working with this patient was identifying the necessity of constructive feedback from my preceptor and others. Specifically when it came to feeding practices by this patient’s mother who I felt was over-feeding the baby. I realized that after explaining the situation I was sounding judgmental, and that I needed to disregard my personal feelings about the mom’s feeding style and instead find opportunities to advocate for the patient and educate the mom further. With advice from my instructor and the help of Kathryn we then placed a phone call to the hospital lactation consultants and arranged a meeting for her to come and work with the mom to try and encourage breastfeeding and offer further education about proper feeding practices for her new baby.

     There are many reasons to breast-feed, but the most important reasons have to do with the health of you and your child. Did you know that breast-feeding is possibly linked to reducing the risk of breast cancer that occurs before menopause (Eisenberg, Murkoff, and Hathaway 5) ? Nursing also helps a women recover after child birth. It is part of a natural cycle and will help your uterus go back to pre-pregnancy size.

A plethora of questions and concerns arise upon confirmation of pregnancy; however, the decision on whether to breastfeed or formula feed an infant seems to be one of the more crucial decisions. Moms new to nursing a baby need all the information that they can get in order to help choose which method of feeding is more suitable, because every mother wants what is best for their child. Unlike formula feeding, the benefits of breastfeeding are substantial for both mother and baby. Moreover, choosing to breastfeed will lead to brighter, happier, and healthier lives.

Breastfeeding provides unique nutrients for the baby, protects from disease, has health benefits for the mother, and provides a unique bond between mother and baby.

This paper will explain the benefits of breastfeeding and how it plays an extreme role in the long-term health of a child not only in the early stages of life but also into adulthood and how we as nurses can help promote this mode of nutrition.

As a Board Certified Lactation Consultant, there are standards of practice that have to be followed. These standards are developed by the International Board of Lactation Consultants. Code of Ethics is also a standard that have to be followed which are included in the standards of practice.. The International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) is obligated to practice within the laws of the geopolitical region and setting in which the consultant works. The IBCLC must practice with consideration for rights of privacy and with respect for matters of a confidential nature. Examples of Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics are as followed:

I like this field because I believe that infancy is the best stage when the nutrition is established that is why I pursue my certification as Lactation Consultant, I’m still waiting for the results for the exam. I have some knowledge about breastfeeding. My previous working experience as Breastfeeding Peer Counselor was my motivator to pursue my education in nutrition and I got involve on it.

“Breastfeeding is an unequalled way of providing ideal food for the healthy growth and development of infants; it is also an integral part of the reproductive process with important implications for the health of mothers” Statement taken from the world health organization publication on the nutrition of exclusive breastfeeding.

I am able to present this information to you because I have over two years experience, have read numerous books, and I have even attended a breastfeeding nutrition class.

162 mothers and 100 partners or coaches from 22 breastfeeding classes held over a one-year period

Breastfeeding is an experience that is foreign for most people until they actually experience it. I had limited knowledge of breastfeeding until I interviewed my friend who currently has two children. Before she had her first child, she read a lot of books and watched a lot of videos, but they still didn’t quite capture the experience. She is a nurse and with her healthcare background, she felt confident about the importance of breastfeeding her children, especially in the first 6 -12 months. Before her baby, she was worried about the physical process and what it would feel like. After birth, she was more worried about her baby being able to breastfeed. For the first few weeks, her baby was having a hard time breastfeeding and she had to occasionally