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Features & links
What is an International Board
Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)?
An IBCLC ( Lactation Consultant
) is a health care professional who specialises in the
clinical management of breastfeeding. IBCLC's are certified
by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners
Inc. under the direction of the US National Commission
for Certifying Agencies.
IBCLC's work in a variety of health care settings including
hospitals, pediatric offices, public health clinics,
and private practice.
An IBCLC offers a variety of services which may include:
- prenatal breastfeeding education
- postnatal hospital, clinic, and
office visits
- home visits
- educational literature
- new mothers' support groups
- nipple or breast pain
- latch on difficulties
- flat or inverted nipples
- low milk supply
- slow weight gain
- crying or colicky baby
- breastfeeding a premature baby
- breastfeeding twins and triplets
- relactation and adoptive breastfeeding
- breastfeeding and return to employment
outside the home
- pumping and storing breastmilk
- special needs baby eg Down Syndrome,
cleft lip and/or palate
- reassurance that breastfeeding is
going well
Most hospitals have brochures
on the lactation consultants in private practice which
they hand out, usually on discharge. It is advisable
to contact one in your area, if needed.
Please understand that the lactation consultant may
be out on a call or have other commitments and may not
be able to answer your call immediately. If your call
is not answered within a couple of hours, and the matter
is urgent please contact another on the list.
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