babytalk
Great Reasons to Have
a Lactation Consultant
At Childbirth Graphics, we are committed to breastfeeding as the optimal way to nourish babies as part of our mission to nurture healthy babies and grow healthy families.
Although breastfeeding is natural and healthy, many new mothers quickly discover that it can also be challenging. In recognition of August as National Breastfeeding Month and August 1–7 as World Breastfeeding Week, Childbirth Graphics highlights the important role lactation consultants play in helping growing families achieve breastfeeding success.
Read on to learn more about lactation consultants, how they can advise parents who are committed to breastfeeding, and Childbirth Graphics’ creative breastfeeding and lactation education products and teaching tools.
What Is a Lactation Consultant?
In past generations, when people lived in extended family groups, mothers, aunts, and sisters were often readily available to teach a new mother the “tricks of the trade” in breastfeeding her newborn. However, times have changed. During the last century, breastfeeding rates steadily declined for several decades, breastfeeding know-how became less common, and extended families members became less likely to live close to one another as society became more mobile.
To help fulfill the need for breastfeeding education and assistance, hospitals and health departments have breastfeeding counselors and lactation consultants on staff to provide breastfeeding support. Lactation consultants with the highest level of certification have the initials IBCLC after their names, standing for International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. An IBCLC is a healthcare professional who has completed comprehensive and extensive education and training to specialize in breastfeeding management and support. This expertise means that a lactation consultant is completely prepared to give professional breastfeeding support and services.
The support of a lactation consultant can make all the difference when it comes to breastfeeding success. Studies have demonstrated better breastfeeding outcomes—including more mothers starting to breastfeed, increased breastfeeding rates, and more mothers exclusively breastfeeding—when they have had guidance from a lactation consultant.
Ways Lactation Consultants Can Help
A lactation consultant can help expectant couples in multiple ways, from prenatal counseling to breastfeeding positions and more:
Our Colostrum: The Gold Standard™ Display is a pocket-
size way to explain the importance of this valuable first food.
Our Dirty Details: Breastfed Baby Stool Story™ Display is a memorable way
to help parents know whether their baby is getting enough breastmilk.
Great take-home information for new moms, our Breastfeeding
Tear Pad Set includes 8 informative English/Spanish tear pads .
- A lactation consultant can help parents find a caregiver for their baby before the baby is born, such as a pediatrician or family physician. These medical professionals know that colostrum (the first milk) and breastmilk provide important protection against disease for a new baby, and a lactation consultant will be able to recommend a caregiver who can provide support for the needs of a breastfeeding mother.
size way to explain the importance of this valuable first food.
- A lactation consultant can help expectant couples set up a cozy “breastfeeding station” where a mother can breastfeed the baby in comfort and peace.
- A lactation consultant can tell parents about breastfeeding classes and breastfeeding support groups in their community.
- A lactation consultant can teach a mother how to prepare to breastfeed before the baby arrives.
- A lactation consultant can teach a mother to breastfeed her baby for the very first time.
- A lactation consultant can help parents recognize breastfeeding problems and provide ways to solve them.
- A lactation consultant can help parents know whether their baby is getting enough breastmilk.
to help parents know whether their baby is getting enough breastmilk.
- A lactation consultant can tell parents about their baby’s normal growth spurts and suggest ways to increase a mother’s milk supply if needed.
- A lactation consultant can make suggestions for ways to deal with older children’s needs while a mother is breastfeeding her new baby.
- A lactation consultant can make recommendations about different breast pumps and other helpful equipment.
- A lactation consultant can provide advice and support for special situations, such as breastfeeding a premature baby or breastfeeding twins.
- A lactation consultant can demonstrate how to pump breastmilk and store it correctly to ensure it stays fresh for the baby.
Tear Pad Set includes 8 informative English/Spanish tear pads .
- A lactation consultant can show a mother how to continue to breastfeed her baby while she works outside the home.
- A lactation consultant can provide day or night support by phone and online contact.
- A lactation consultant may counsel a mother or couple one-on-one in the home, at an office, or in classes at community locations.
- A lactation consultant helps a mother and her baby get off to a great start breastfeeding. A lactation consultant will help both a mother and father feel confident about their commitment to breastfeeding and proud that the mother is providing their baby with this very special gift.
Discover Childbirth Graphics’ Breastfeeding Education Resources
With lactation education in mind, Childbirth Graphics specializes in breastfeeding teaching resources that are perfect to educate expectant and new parents about a variety of breastfeeding topics, covering breastfeeding benefits, getting started, latching on, breastfeeding positions, whether a baby is getting enough breastmilk, pumping and manual expression, and so much more. We also carry guides to assist lactation consultants as they counsel their clients. Discover our innovative breastfeeding education materials by visiting our Breastfeeding Products Education Section.
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