Well, today marks the end of World Breastfeeding Week and to close out the week August 7th celebrates Lactation Consultant Day. This gives me an opportunity to toot my horn, but also to be thankful to work in an organization like Texas Health Resources, that recognizes the value of breastfeeding for mothers and babies, the community and the world!
Most individuals have no idea the education and training of lactation consultants, and I thought I would share a little information about my profession. In our hospital setting all of the lactation consultants and breastfeeding educators are registered nurses who have an extensive background in maternal-child health. In studying to become an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), each candidate must have a minimum of 2,500 hours of one-on-one time with nursing mothers and babies. Classroom education in the art and science of breastfeeding is also required. When all requirements are met, the candidate sits for an exam to validate knowledge in the field of lactation. Recertification is required every five years. The criteria for the exam have changed over time to uphold the highest standards of practice. To its credit, The IBCLC is recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
While breastfeeding is natural, it often doesn't really come naturally to most new mothers. Our culture views bottle-feeding as the norm, and uses it to compare every aspect of breastfeeding, when in reality it should be just the opposite. Our new mothers have not had the opportunity to really see the breastfeeding relationship in everyday life or been able to learn from the experiences of their mothers, because most of us born in the 1950s, 60s, 70s, and 80s were bottle-fed. Our mothers were not encouraged or supported in breastfeeding their babies. This actually contributed to the organization of La Leche League International (LLLI) a mother-to-mother support group which was established in 1956 by seven nursing mothers. LLLI was also instrumental in the establishment of the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners and the first IBCLC exam was given in July of 1985.
Since then the field of lactation has grown dramatically and breastfeeding rates continue to climb. Healthy People 2010 targets include 75 percent breastfeeding in early postpartum period, with 50 percent at six months of age, and 25 percent at one year. On Monday, the CDC released the new Breastfeeding Report Card for 2009, and the State of Texas had increases in all targets with early breastfeeding at 78.2 percent, breastfeeding at 6 months at 48.7 percent, and breastfeeding at 12 months at 25.3 percent. Personally, I think the contribution of the profession has contributed greatly to the increase in overall breastfeeding rates.
Laura Burnett, RN, BSN
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant Nursing Supervisor, Women's Services
Most individuals have no idea the education and training of lactation consultants, and I thought I would share a little information about my profession. In our hospital setting all of the lactation consultants and breastfeeding educators are registered nurses who have an extensive background in maternal-child health. In studying to become an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), each candidate must have a minimum of 2,500 hours of one-on-one time with nursing mothers and babies. Classroom education in the art and science of breastfeeding is also required. When all requirements are met, the candidate sits for an exam to validate knowledge in the field of lactation. Recertification is required every five years. The criteria for the exam have changed over time to uphold the highest standards of practice. To its credit, The IBCLC is recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
While breastfeeding is natural, it often doesn't really come naturally to most new mothers. Our culture views bottle-feeding as the norm, and uses it to compare every aspect of breastfeeding, when in reality it should be just the opposite. Our new mothers have not had the opportunity to really see the breastfeeding relationship in everyday life or been able to learn from the experiences of their mothers, because most of us born in the 1950s, 60s, 70s, and 80s were bottle-fed. Our mothers were not encouraged or supported in breastfeeding their babies. This actually contributed to the organization of La Leche League International (LLLI) a mother-to-mother support group which was established in 1956 by seven nursing mothers. LLLI was also instrumental in the establishment of the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners and the first IBCLC exam was given in July of 1985.
Since then the field of lactation has grown dramatically and breastfeeding rates continue to climb. Healthy People 2010 targets include 75 percent breastfeeding in early postpartum period, with 50 percent at six months of age, and 25 percent at one year. On Monday, the CDC released the new Breastfeeding Report Card for 2009, and the State of Texas had increases in all targets with early breastfeeding at 78.2 percent, breastfeeding at 6 months at 48.7 percent, and breastfeeding at 12 months at 25.3 percent. Personally, I think the contribution of the profession has contributed greatly to the increase in overall breastfeeding rates.
Laura Burnett, RN, BSN
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant Nursing Supervisor, Women's Services
Happy World Breastfeeding week from the Lactation Consultants at Texas Health Harris Methodist Fort Worth and Southwest Fort Worth Hospitals
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