Our journey to Academia Judi Lauwers, BA, IBCLC, FILCA Accreditation and Approval Review Committee (AARC) On Education in Human Lactation and Breastfeeding
2008 Doylestown Hospital The human animal evolved as a species
Before 1940s Breastfeeding was the norm Mothers learned from family members
End of World War II Alternatives accessible Women wanted to stay in the workforce Breastfeeding help no longer passed down
Women who wanted to breastfeed needed HELP 1950s La Leche League International: Mother-to-mother support 1980s La Leche League International: Lactation Consultant Department formed
Allergies Cancers Diabetes Obesity
CREDENTIAL: International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION: International Lactation Consultant Association ACCREDITATION: Concept of third leg to emerge in 2008
0.4% 1.6% 2.2% 2.2% 2.2% 3.0% Midwife Licensed Practical Nurse 7.6% Other Providers Certified Childbirth Educator Doctor of Medicine Registered Dietitian 80.8% Accredited Mother Support Registered Nurse
0.4% 2% 7% 12% 20% Associates Baccalaureate Degree Doctor of Medicine or Osteopathy Doctoral Degree High School Diploma 50% Masters Degree
Code of Ethics Standards of Practice Scope of Practice Clinical Competencies Core Curriculum (3 rd edition in 2011)
The professional association has NGO status with UNICEF and WHO And official representation with: United Nations World Health Assembly Codex Alimentarius Food and Agriculture Organization
2009 Circulation 8873 Thompson Scientific Index: Highest rated lactation journal and 6th out of all the nursing journals
International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners www.iblce.org IBLCE ILCA International Lactation Consultant Association www.ilca.org AARC The third leg of the profession in place
Most education is through private courses that range from 40 to 200 hours. Some distance courses are available. Programs in academia include a master s level certificate course, a non-degree certificate course, a bachelor s course and a master s course. Students are challenged with finding access to supervised clinical mentoring.
A lactation consultant program fits perfectly within a 2-year curriculum. The curriculum can be used for both certificate and degree programs. The program can be used at the associate, bachelor and masters levels.
Lactation consultant students will need health career courses similar to those of medical assisting and nursing students. Biology Research fundamentals Human anatomy and physiology Child development Basic nutrition Psychology and sociology Health care profession fundamentals Health safety
Results of 2011 United States Lactation Consultant Association survey of 864 lactation consultants
Results of 2011 United States Lactation Consultant Association survey of 864 lactation consultants
Results of 2011 United States Lactation Consultant Association survey of 864 lactation consultants
Voluntary designation established in 1991by UNICEF & WHO to recognize practices that promote breastfeeding. There are 15,000 Baby-friendly facilities in 134 countries. There are115 BFHI facilities in the U.S. Aggressive marketing of infant formula is a major factor in the number not being higher.
1. Have a breastfeeding policy 2. Train staff to help mothers 3. Inform pregnant women 4. Help mothers within one hour of delivery 5. Show mothers how to breastfeed 6. Give babies only breastmilk unless medically indicated 7. Keep mothers and babies together 8. Allow mothers and babies to breastfeed on demand 9. Give breastfeeding babies no artificial nipples 10. Refer mothers for support
Breastfeeding mothers should have access to certified lactation consultants World Health Organization. The Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2003.
2011 breastfeeding education campaign http://www.jointcommission.org/joint_commission_campaign_helps _support_and_prepare_mothers_to_successfully_breastfeed/ 2010 National Hospital Inpatient Quality Measures Perinatal Care Core Measure Set includes exclusive breastmilk feeding. http://manual.jointcommission.org/releases/tjc2010a/perinatalca re.html
Hospitals should have lactation experts available at all times Gartner LM, Morton J, Lawrence RA, et al. Breastfeeding and the use of human milk. Pediatrics. 2005;115:496-506.
Association of physicians dedicated to the promotion, protection and support of breastfeeding and human lactation www.bfmed.org
One of their three pathways is for a graduate of an accredited academic program. The profession needs a sufficient number of programs before this can be a required pathway. www.iblce.org
Recommendations for 1000 deliveries per year Level III (tertiary): 1.9 FTEs Level II neonatal services: 1.6 FTEs Level I neonatal services: 1.3 FTEs Mannel R, Mannel R. Staffing for hospital lactation programs: recommendations from a tertiary care teaching hospital. J Hum Lact. 2006;22:409-417.
WASHINGTON, DC January 20, 2011 Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding Surgeon General Dr. Regina M. Benjamin with ILCA Board President Cathy Carothers Remove obstacles faced by women who want to breastfeed their babies
States what the health care community can do: More hospitals incorporate UNICEF/WHO s Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative Provide breastfeeding education for health clinicians who care for women and children Ensure access to International Board Certified Lactation Consultants
WHO UNICEF Joint Commission Surgeon General Call to Action American Academy of Pediatrics Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine International Lactation Consultant Association International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners Accreditation and Approval Review Committee (AARC)
Hospitals Many hospitals have no IBCLC on staff Many hospitals with IBCLCs need to increase FTEs Many IBCLCs are Boomers who will retire soon Physician offices both Peds and OB
WIC and other public health clinics Visiting nurse & other community programs Employers Increasing numbers of employers are establishing lactation rooms Potential for hiring IBCLCs on call
A joint needs assessment study is planned between AARC, USLCA, and IBLCE. It will survey all IBCLCs in the U.S. Results are expected in late 2011 and will be posted on the AARC website.
Judi Lauwers, BA, IBCLC, FILCA judi@ilca.org 919-459-6106 Please contact us with any questions. We welcome the opportunity to discuss adding a lactation consultant program in your institution!