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Journal of Human Lactation and the Future of Inside Track – May 2012 Edition

By lactationmatters on 19 April 2012 in ILCA News, JHL News

Written by Anne Merewood, PhD, MPH, IBCLC, Editor of JHL

The May Journal of Human Lactation (JHL) will soon hit the web and the postal service – and contains some very cool new papers, to put it scientifically. But first….wait….there is no Inside Track! What is going on? Fear not! Inside Track will be back!

As new Editor in Chief at JHL, in full cooperation and agreement with the ILCA Board and the Publications Committee, I decided to make Inside Track peer reviewed. This means from now on, Inside Tracks must be submitted directly to JHL via the regular submission site, and as with any other paper, will be sent out for review to expert reviewers who will not know who wrote it. It has taken us a while to set this up, which is why there is no Inside Track in May. The next Inside Track has already been reviewed and will appear in JHL in August.

• Why did JHL do this? Frankly, JHL’s editorial staff are not experts on everything. Some Inside Tracks are about specialized subjects beyond our experience, and as with all other papers, there is a need for true experts with in-depth knowledge in their field to review them. These may be patient handouts, but especially because they are in JHL, they have the weight of an evidence-based, academic journal behind them and they need to be watertight.

• Does this mean Inside Track will change? No – from the reader’s perspective, there will be little, if any, noticeable change to Inside Track. However, because we hope to draw from a wider pool of writers, we hope to have a broader cultural perspective than has been previously available.

• Will there be fewer Inside Tracks? Hopefully not – we are aiming for 1 per issue, but we depend on you, our ILCA membership, to write them.

• Who can write an Inside Track? YOU! At least 1 author must be an IBCLC, and the lead author must be an ILCA member (if the lead author is not an ILCA member on submission, they must join ILCA prior to its publication). Inside Track seeks to promote the IBCLC and to foster new writers among ILCA members.

• How do I get started? We have created some guidelines for writing an Inside Track. Email the office at jhleditorialoffice@gmail.com for the guidelines.

• How long will it take between submission and appearing in print? This depends on how many changes the reviewers want, but an average would be 4-6 months.

• I would love to have a go at this but what if I get rejected? Please – have a go. We will work with writers. Just be sure you are using current evidence and follow the guidelines.

• Where can I learn more about this? The JHL Special Interest Group at the ILCA conference will devote some time to writing Inside Tracks.

JHL’s New look

And as for the cool papers in the May issue of the JHL

Have you ever wondered what rates of exclusive breastfeeding in the hospital might look like if you really counted every single feed? Have you pondered whether the WIC data about breastfeeding, based on what food package women receive, accurately reflects breastfeeding status of WIC clients? How much weight do infants born by cesarean section lose, and are unsupplemented babies under 6 months at risk of severe vitamin D deficiency? The May issue of JHL has original research papers addressing all these questions, offering some answers, and raising plenty more questions!

In addition, May sees the introduction of a new section: Insights in Policy, so this issue has publications under Insights in Practice, and Insights in Policy, both on the theme of donor milk in the NICU.

RoundTable returns with a discussion on alternative feeding methods in many different nations, and we feature selected abstracts from the Nordic conference and workshop held last September in Uppsala. Check it out!

Please watch this space, the info will be in ILCA’s Lactation Matters!

Anne Merewood PhD, MPH, IBCLC, Editor of JHL
Director, The Breastfeeding Center, Boston Medical Center
Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Boston University School of Medicine
Division of General Pediatrics
Boston, MA 02118

Journal of Human Lactation

Journal of Human Lactation (JHL) is a quarterly, peer-reviewed journal publishing original research, commentaries relating to human lactation and breastfeeding behavior, case reports relevant to the practicing lactation consultant and other health professionals who assist lactating mothers or their breastfeeding infants, debate on research methods for breastfeeding and lactation studies, and discussions of the business aspects of lactation consulting

Impact Factor: 1.329
Ranked: 54 out of 109 in Pediatrics, 50 out of 77 in Obstetrics & Gynecology and 21 out of 89 in Nursing

Source: 2010 Journal Citation Reports® (Thomson Reuters, 2011)

The ILCA Conference Scholarship Fund

By lactationmatters on 10 April 2012 in ILCA 2012 Conference, ILCA News, ILCA Staff

Written by Glenna Thurston, ILCA Membership Coordinator

San Diego 2011 Conference LT – RT .Cathy Carothers (ILCA Pres) Natalia , Rita , Kathy Parkes (ILCA Treas)

“The feeling of being invested in has truly empowered me to move forward in the work that I do.” – Rita Rahayu Omar, BSc, IBCLC, Malaysia

“It was the wind at my back that I needed to overcome all the obstacles in my path.” – Irena Zakarija-Grkovic, MD, IBCLC, Croatia

“I couldn’t believe that other people would make my dream come true.” – Natalia Razakhatskaya, IBCLC, Belarus

These quotes are from some amazing women who are previous ILCA Conference scholarship recipients. Donations from our wonderful ILCA members paved the way for their inspiring and life-changing experiences.

The 2012 Conference is coming up quickly and we want to give as many people as possible the opportunity to attend. If each of ILCA’s more than 6,000 members donated just $5, we could offer over $30,000 in ILCA conference scholarships to women all over the world.

Please take just five minutes today to make a small donation to the ILCA Conference scholarship fund, To make donations, click here http://www.ilca.org/i4a/ams/amsstore/category.cfm?category_id=17 (If you prefer, you may send a donation to ILCA by check or call 888-452-2478 to donate by phone.) Also, please encourage your colleagues and local Breastfeeding groups to participate in providing this great scholarship opportunity to women like Rita, Irena, and Natalia.

Read below to hear more from scholarship recipients about what the scholarship meant to them.

Thank you,

Glenna Thurston

ILCA Membership Coordinator

“Being a recipient of the ILCA conference scholarship has opened my eyes to the spirit of giving of ILCA members. The humbleness, spirit of sharing, the love, respect of all participants is something I will never forget. In a nutshell, it defines us not just as a professional but as a person. ILCA genuinely cares about the advancement of knowledge. Personally, the feeling of being invested in has truly empowered me to move forward in the work that I do. I believe that when you have people who are willing to help further education, it’s really a blessing…and there will always be a way and you will be lead towards that.” – Rita Rahayu Omar, BSc, IBCLC, Malaysia; 2011 ILCA Conference Scholarship Recipient

“Never before have I felt so special and privileged. It was the wind at my back that I needed to overcome all the obstacles in my path.” – Irena Zakarija-Grkovic, MD, IBCLC, Croatia; 2007 ILCA Conference Scholarship Recipient

“Never hesitate to try such a great opportunity. You deserve it. I couldn’t believe that other people would make my dream come true. I will always appreciate this treasure from my destiny!” – Natallia Razakhatskaya, IBCLC, Belarus; 2011 ILCA Conference Scholarship Recipient

“Given a chance to be at ILCA conference in 2009 made me so grateful and inspired me to initiate more productive programs back in Malaysia. Together with like minded friends we had initiated Malaysian Breastfeeding Peer Counselor program and conducted a Lactation Conference in 2010. These are definitely inspiring more and more breastfeeding programs in our country. Thank you so much.” – Nor Kamariah Mohamad Alwi, Malaysia; 2009 ILCA Conference Scholarship Recipient

“I passed my IBCLC exam in 2011 and now I am working in the private hospital as a LC. It is something completely new and unheard here, a special person for breastfeeding support who is not a nurse, midwife or a doctor. Sometimes it is not easy to help mother-baby dyads even when mothers are very motivated to breastfeed, as many Labor and Delivery practices still need improvement and sometimes they just need more encouragement and support. Now I understand how important for me was the University of California San Diego (UCSD) Medical Center Tour. I have now a picture how all this breastfeeding support works in a large hospital. It helps me a lot when I face challenges on my new job.” – Victoria Nesterova, IBCLC, Ukraine; 2011 ILCA Conference Scholarship Recipient

“My scholarship allowed me to attend my first ICLA conference. I would not have been able to attend otherwise, as my family had had many unexpected expenses due to frequent hospitalization of my husband that year, and the hospital for which I worked was unwilling to support any continuing education activities. The conference helped to reinvigorate me, and get me recharged to go back to do my job with new ideas as well as connect with other IBCLCs, with whom I have been able to keep in contact with. In fact, I no longer work for the non-supportive hospital and have a much more fulfilling job as an outpatient consultant with a free-standing pediatrician and working for a more supportive hospital part-time.” – Pam McArthur, RNC, CCM, IBCLC, USA; 2009 ILCA Conference Scholarship Recipient

“What an honor it was to receive this scholarship. The conference was so informative; also it was so wonderful to be among all the many other people with a goal of gaining knowledge to help breastfeeding Mothers and Babies.” – Judy Swoboda, RNC, IBCLC, TX, USA; 2010 ILCA Conference Scholarship Recipient

New Possibilities in 2012! A message from our President

By lactationmatters on 10 January 2012 in ILCA 2012 Conference, ILCA News, JHL News

Beginning a new year can be a rejuvenating time to set new goals and explore new opportunities. For the International Lactation Consultant Association, the opportunities have never been greater! I hope each of you will resolve TODAY to get involved in your professional association. You’ll find, as countless others have, that giving your time and your talents will come back to you in the most incredible ways as you seek to make a difference.

Earlier this week I sent my ILCA President letter to inform you about the status of ILCA as we begin this new year. Click here to read about ILCA’s strong foundation of sound financial health and highest membership numbers ever (over 6,000!), and details about the many exciting new initiatives.

Coming in 2012:

The 2012 ILCA Conference in Orlando…with live simultaneous translations in Spanish for the first time ever, a new ILCA “lounge” for networking with colleagues, and family activities to make this a wonderful vacation while you learn. Be sure to check out the YouTube™ video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzEeqvRsCRw&feature=youtu.be and pass it along to your colleagues on your Facebook™ and Twitter™ sites and be an early bird registering and have an opportunity to win a fabulous i pad 2, check the details. http://www.ilca.org/files/events/ilca_conference/2012_Conference/Registration_Brochure.pdf
New changes to the Journal of Human Lactation under the new editorial leadership of Anne Merewood.
CERPS on Demand© with a full slate of webinars in many languages!
Baby-Friendly Initiative Committee to explore strategies for promoting and implementing BFHI worldwide.
European Task Force to address member needs across Europe.
Continued expansion of our robust translation program.
Collaborative projects with IBLCE, including a NEW consumer website, IBCLC promotional brochure, and hospital outreach initiatives.
Position papers and clinical protocols.
NEW edition to the Core Curriculum for Lactation Consultant Practice.
Expansion of our global relationships worldwide.
And more!

I love to sign my communications, “ILCA is YOU,” and I believe that phrase perfectly captures how important each of you are to ILCA’s success. There has never been a better time to get involved, so join us in 2012 as we work together to meet the needs of the lactation community worldwide.

Cathy Carothers, BLA, IBCLC, FILCA ILCA President 2010-2012

Happy Holidays!

By lactationmatters on 20 December 2011 in ILCA News

From those of us at Lactation Matters, we wish you well during this holiday season. May you find joy and happiness spending time with family and loved ones. May you find a few quiet moments to spend by yourself, relaxing and decompressing from an often-abundant workload. May you find the time to reflect on all of the good you do for mothers and babies, throughout the world, as you provide them with the necessary support to continue breastfeeding.

We look forward to continuing to share your stories, provide you with professional support, and nurture your self-confidence as a health-care professional in the field of lactation.

Happy holidays and we will see you in 2012!

Robin Kaplan, M.Ed., IBCLC, Lactation Matters Editor, Owner San Diego Breastfeeding Center

Decalie Brown, RN, CM, CFHN, IBCLC, ILCA Director of Marketing

Keep sending your stories in to LactationMatters@gmail.com and hopefully meet in beautiful Orlando this July at the 2012 ILCA conference. http://youtu.be/yzEeqvRsCRw

Becoming a FILCA: Part Two

By lactationmatters on 15 December 2011 in ILCA News

In Becoming a FILCA: Part Two, Joy Heads shares her story. Don’t miss Kathy Parkes reflecting on her designation as FILCA in Becoming a FILCA: Part One.

Joy Heads RM; CM, MHPEd, IBCLC, FILCA ILCA

BOD Global Outreach 2011-2014

Joy Heads describes being a FILCA as, “It’s important to be a Fellow of ILCA, as ‘Fellowship’ is defined by the Encarta World English Dictionary (1999) as ‘a member of a learned or scientific society’. Professional organizations created the Fellowship as a formal way of recognizing a colleague’s contribution to their chosen profession. ILCA, as a relatively new professional organization, achieved this developmental goal in 2007, when it established the Fellow of ILCA. This designation would suitably recognize significant professional achievements of the leaders and mentors in the field of lactation consultancy.

Many IBCLCs contribute to their profession, not only by being a member but also by working on the various committees ILCA and its affiliates have. This may be, for example, on an Affiliate Board or part of ILCA’s Conference committee. Mentoring, lecturing, being an ILCA liaison or slogging it out at the coalface are all ways of promoting the profession of IBCLCs and their professional body, ILCA.

I wanted to be a Fellow of ILCA, because being a Fellow of ILCA recognizes proven commitment to ILCA which I am proud to have as my professional organization. The fact that it is self-nominated and self-funded appealed to me. I felt that I would be making an extra contribution to ILCA and in addition, if successful, I would be able to enthusiastically promote ILCA as THE experts in Human Lactation.

Within Australia, as in other countries we ‘compete’ – if that is the right word – with midwives. It is often difficult to present the Lactation Consultant as having an extended role in the mother/baby relationship. You have to remind everyone that midwifery care only covers the postpartum period of about six weeks. (International Confederation of Midwives 2005) where as the IBCLC can care for women for as long as they are breastfeeding – which in many cases is well beyond the second year of life.

Being accepted as a Fellow of your professional association is an amazing honor. You have to meet independently-set criteria that you know is objective. It was a real challenge to fill in the application form. I have been an IBCLC and an ILCA member since 1986 so digging back into my files/my life to document it was very empowering and proved to me that I had made the right choices along the way.

Breastfeeding became my passion when feeding my twins. Involvement in the Australian Breastfeeding Association and the Australia Multiple Birth Association followed. Once back at work and starting university for the first time the choices of teaching topics, electives and assignments revolved around my expertise… breastfeeding. It didn’t take me long to figure out that the lecturers didn’t compare notes – so I could use a breastfeeding angle in every assignment.

My first job as a nurse educator was to teach the “Bottle Feeding Demonstration” to the student midwives….. …that soon was replaced. Over time, my professional life serendipitously fell into place to enable me to meet the established criteria and achieve my FILCA designation in 2008. Along with my Order of Australia Medal and my Masters being a FILCA is one of the highlights of my professional life.

All eligible ILCA members are encouraged to submit their application to permit this wonderful recognition as a Fellow of ILCA (FILCA). Any questions, contact the ILCA office info@ilca.org.

Becoming a FILCA: Part One

By lactationmatters on 13 December 2011 in ILCA News

Become a Fellow of ILCA! Applications for this year are closing soon!

The deadline for applications for the 2012 Fellow of the International Lactation Consultant Association (FILCA) are about to close on December31, 2011. This is a self-nominated, self-funded designation recognizing ILCA members who have achieved a high level of commitment to ILCA and to professionalism in the field of lactation consulting.

The application information for 2012 can be found on the FILCA webpage of ILCA’s website. A “Fellow” of ILCA (FILCA) has achieved a high level of professionalism, demonstrated by meeting independently-set criteria, and will be permitted to attain this universal form of recognition. There is an application form, a fee to pay and once the Fellow of ILCA (FILCA) designation is achieved, membership is maintained by paying a small annual fee.

All eligible ILCA members are encouraged to submit their application to permit this wonderful recognition as a Fellow of ILCA (FILCA). Any questions, contact the ILCA office info@ilca.org.

We have asked two of our Fellows of ILCA to give us some idea on what FILCA means to them.

Kathy Parkes, BSPsy, RN, IBCLC, RLC, FILCA

ILCA Treasurer, 2011-2014

Firstly, FILCA is an official recognition of your hard work. Have you spent years volunteering in your area affiliate group? Then moved on to work even harder and longer in your state affiliate? Have you mentored other up-and-coming lactation consultants, even though you know you have to put in many extra hours? Have you slaved away at the computer to write a book on lactation? You deserve recognition for all that time, dedication, love, effort, and work you put into your volunteer hours.

Secondly, being a FILCA is networking. You will be in a classification with other top-notch lactation consultants. Those with whom you can discuss situations and case studies, as well as practice guidelines, protocols, and situations about which you might be unsure.

Third, you are being a mentor. You are paving the way for new IBCLCs who will follow after you, in your footsteps, looking to you to share that knowledge with them. You are someone else’s mentor, the one they go to when they need to know how to solve a lactation problem, a hospital policy situation, or a private practice challenge.

And fourth, but certainly not last, being a FILCA is FUN. You can impress your favorite doctor with the new credential. You can meet other FILCAs and find out what they do that is totally outside of the realm of lactation. You get to eat lunch together at the annual ILCA conference.

So join us. Become a FILCA!

In Part Two, find out what being a FILCA means to Joy Heads.

IBCLC Care Award

By lactationmatters on 20 October 2011 in ILCA News

In 2010, International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners® (IBLCE) and International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA) developed this IBCLC Care Award to recognize and promote facilities that hire/employ International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) as part of their commitment to protect, promote and support breastfeeding.

The number of applications received for their first year far exceeded everyone’s expectations and it matched with an amazing caliber of professionalism and innovative breastfeeding & lactation projects being conducted in facilities globally. These 192 successful facilities are now displayed on the IBCLC Care Award website and they have all received a recognition certificate which they can display proudly for 2 years within their facility.

We are about to embark on our second year of applications for the ‘IBCLC Care Award’. This exciting new IBCLC Care Award was celebrated in 192 facilities in Hospitals, Birthing Facilities, and Birthing Services in its inaugural year 2010.
The application process for this year is NOW OPEN and will be closing in just over 6 weeks, on the 30th of November at 5pm.

Don’t delay, have the IBCLCs and your facility globally recognized with receiving this award.

This prestigious IBCLC Care Award is at the moment FREE to enter and the applications forms are online.

The application process is as Easy as 1. 2. 3…
1. Check out the IBCLC Care Award on the website and FAQ’s.
2. To get started… It’s recommended to download and print off the IBCLC Care Award Checklist, and the ‘Sample Application’ and complete.
This checklist is so helpful to keep you on track and gives you exactly what to include in your application. When you’re ready to go …work through the ‘sample application’, navigate through each field making sure you have all the important information included. Remembering you must include (upload) all the ‘evidence /documentation’ at the same time your final IBCLC Care Award application is submitted.
3. You’re set to go…Complete your ONLINE application, uploading all your documentation/evidence as instructed. Please note that you will not be able to save the application as you go.

For more information on the criteria, documentation and how to apply, visit the IBCLC Care Award website.

Closing date is coming fast………close of business November 30, 2011

Notification of successful applicants – January 2012

Now available FREE…. “Role and Impact of the IBCLC” supports the employment of IBCLCs to administrators and policy makers throughout the world. The document is available as a free download from the ILCA website. Printed copies are available for purchase from the ILCA Store.

For more information, please contact the ILCA Office at info@ilca.org or +1-919-861-5577.

The evidence shows ‘How IBCLCs Make a Difference’
Research studies have shown that an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) makes a difference in breastfeeding outcomes for new families.

Why Hire an IBCLC?
Customer satisfaction and safety depend upon recruiting and retaining qualified, skilled health care practitioners. The IBCLC certification is your assurance that lactation professionals on your team have the specialized knowledge and skills required to provide excellence in lactation care for new families. Certification as an IBCLC protects the public by helping consumers identify qualified lactation consultants, increases customer confidence, and helps you sustain a maternal-child health team that delivers evidence-based care for new families. When making employment decisions, health care systems can feel confident in using IBCLC certification as a measure of excellence.

Breastfeeding Rates
A baby is 2.8 times more likely to be breastfeeding upon hospital discharge if the facility employs an IBCLC. Among women receiving Medicaid, delivering at a hospital that employed IBCLCs was associated with a 4.13 times increase in the odds of breastfeeding at hospital discharge.
Castrucci, B., et al. 2006. A comparison of breastfeeding rates in an urban birth cohort among women delivering infants at hospitals that employ and do not employ lactation consultants. Journal of Public Health Management Practice. 12(6), 578–585.
Women who receive prenatal education, postpartum hospital and home visits, and telephone calls from a lactation consultant, are more likely to breastfeed through week 20 and at a higher breastfeeding intensity than women who do not receive assistance from a lactation consultant.
Bonuck, K., et al. 2005. Randomized controlled trial of a prenatal and postnatal lactation consultant intervention on duration and intensity of breastfeeding up to 12 months. Pediatrics. 116:6, 1413-26.
Guise, JM, et al. 2003. The effectiveness of primary care-based interventions to promote breastfeeding: systematic evidence review and meta-analysis for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Annals of Family Medicine. 1:2, 70-8.

Health Outcomes for Breastfeeding Mothers and Babies
Women are more likely to stop breastfeeding in the first month when they experience such problems as sore nipples, inadequate milk production, and infant difficulties with breastfeeding. A lactation consultant can help women overcome these difficulties and thereby increase duration of breastfeeding.
Ahluwalia, IB, et al. 2005. Why do women stop breastfeeding? Findings from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment and Monitoring System. Pediatrics. 116:6, 1408-1412.

Healthcare Costs
Increased access to lactation consultants resulted in greater continuation of breastfeeding and a $149-per-delivery reduction in cost for planned hospital care, planned follow-up visits, and unplanned care costs.
Lieu TA, et al. 1998. Clinical outcomes and maternal perceptions of an updated model of perinatal care. Pediatrics.
102:1437-1444.

Corporate Worksite Support
IBCLCs are an integral part of many corporate lactation programs. Mutual of Omaha, Aetna, and CIGNA Corporation are among the many companies that now include consultations with lactation consultants as an integral part of their employee benefits program for breastfeeding employees. These lactation programs have been shown to dramatically increase breastfeeding duration rates, with resulting savings in health care costs, fewer prescriptions, and reduced absenteeism and turnover rates for employees.
Dickson V., Hawkes C., Slusser W., Lange L. & Cohen R. 2000. The positive impact of a corporate lactation program on breastfeeding initiation and duration rates: help for the working mother. Unpublished manuscript. Presented at the Annual Seminar for Physicians, co-sponsored by the American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and La Leche League International, on July 21, 2000.
Mutual of Omaha. 2001. Prenatal and lactation education reduces newborn health care costs. Omaha, NE: Mutual of Omaha.

What is IBLCE®?
IBLCE®, or the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners®, is the independent international certification body conferring the International Board Certified Lactation Consultant® (IBCLC®) credential.

What is ILCA?
ILCA, or the International Lactation Consultant Association, is the independent professional association for health care professionals who care for breastfeeding families.

Paula Oliveira RN, IBCLC, IBLCE Board Member
Decalie Brown RN, RM, CFHN, IBCLC, ILCA Director Marketing.

Patient Access

By lactationmatters on 3 August 2011 in ILCA News, JHL News

A great deal has changed in patient care over the last decade or so. The number of patients coming in with articles from various websites and claiming uncommon diseases discovered through symptom checker on WebMD has increased. As we all know information and knowledge are power and that is something that many patients hunger for when feeling so helpless in regard to their own care. However, greater access to information does not mean an increase in quality, and thus many of us are faced with combating an inevitable cycle of misinformation passed from social media, Wikipedia, and “medical” websites lacking references. Many of the mothers we meet with are well-informed patients, and want to have access to credible information to help guide them through the adventures of breastfeeding. With that very notion at mind ILCA and SAGE Publications are pleased to announce the roll-out of our Patient Access offering for the Journal of Human Lactation. This feature allows individuals the availability to request free access to research for personal use via an article’s login/challenge page. SAGE will monitor and track all requests and supply individuals with PDFs of their chosen articles.

The Patient Access feature allows patients, their family members and anyone interested in learning more about a specific disease or its treatment to access your journal’s most important new research articles. Although research articles should never replace a patient’s consultation with a primary or specialist physician, SAGE and ILCA believe that access to this information can educate and empower our readers to learn more about diseases and conditions.

We hope that this new feature will give lactation consultants another tool in their kit when working with families.

You can view our request interface and learn more at http://jhl.sagepub.com/site/includefiles/patient_inform.xhtml

Happy Birthday!

By lactationmatters on 1 August 2011 in ILCA News

When I meet someone for the first time and they ask what my profession is, I usually receive a raised eyebrow when I tell him/her that I am a lactation consultant. This raised eyebrow is typically followed by either, “What type of consultant?” or “Wow, I could have used you when I had my kids (followed by a 5 minute soliloquy of her breastfeeding challenges),” or “Well, why would someone need a lactation consultant? Isn’t breastfeeding easy?” As lactation consultants, we are often working on our own or with other health professionals who don’t truly appreciate all we do for mothers and their families. We don’t just help mothers breastfeed….we nurture a mother’s self-confidence as she enters the full-time profession of motherhood.

To be a successful lactation consultant does not mean that we make a ton of money (wouldn’t that be nice???) Instead it means that we provide gentle, emotional (and breastfeeding!) support to those families who need it the most. But where do we receive our support? Sure, we attend professional development seminars and workshops. We might network with colleagues. We might volunteer at our local county breastfeeding coalition. All in all, we could use more support, just like our moms.

In answer to our need for support, we would like to introduce ILCA’s newest support system: Lactation Matters, the official blog of the International Lactation Consultant Association. In this blog, you will hear from authors about their latest research, in 600 words or less! You will learn tips from colleagues who are setting up outpatient clinics, non-profit organizations, and private practices. You will be exposed to international news about breastfeeding from around the world. All of our articles will be focused on supporting lactation consultants and breastfeeding professionals with pertinent research, tools and tricks of the trade, and global movements in breastfeeding promotion. It serves as the perfect complement to ILCA’s monthly member newsletter, e-Globe. Lactation Matters will help us take one more step to meeting ILCA’s vision and mission: Our vision is a worldwide network of lactation professionals. Our mission is to advance the profession of lactation consulting worldwide through leadership, advocacy, professional development, and research.

We look forward to sharing our knowledge and experiences with you. We hope that it will nurture your education and self-confidence as a health-care professional and lactation consultant. We also hope it will inspire you to share your knowledge and experiences with us as well! If you find an article that you feel your colleagues would benefit from, please link to it from your Facebook page or Twitter account and add comments to the bottom of the blog to keep the conversation going. If you are interested in submitting an article to Lactation Matters, please contact us at lactationmatters@gmail.com.

Robin Kaplan, M.Ed., IBCLC, Lactation Matters Editor, Owner San Diego Breastfeeding Center

Decalie Brown, RN, CM, CFHN, IBCLC, ILCA Director of Marketing

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