Finding joy helping mothers feed their babies

Every now and then someone will ask me, what exactly does a lactation consultant do? The answer is that we are health professionals who work with other health professionals and families assuring appropriate, evidenced based management of breastfeeding.

Some mothers choose not to give their milk to their babies. Some mothers have tried everything they can to provide their milk to their babies without success. Some mothers have no problems at all feeding their babies. Some mothers face challenges providing their milk to their baby because of health issues. Some mothers just need some reassurance that all is well. A dedicated lactation consultant is there for every mother.

The certifying body for lactation consultants is the International Board Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE). IBLCE administers a test that allows the use of the letters, IBCLC, after their name.

There are two major components necessary to complete before taking the exam are college credits and clinical experience. For more details about the requirements that have to be completed before sitting for the exam you can go to IBLCE.org or call them at 703-560-7330.

The exam consists of questions relating to maternal and infant anatomy, physiology, endocrinology, nutrition, biochemistry, pathology, psychology, sociology, anthropology, public health, normal growth and development, ethics, law and evidence-based management principles. All of these disciplines come together when working with a mother and baby.

For me, it has been such an honor to be part of a family’s life at such a precious time. For the most part, it is a time of joy. However there are many overwhelming challenges with a new baby. I recently had a new dad ask me what the best website he could go to for information on taking care of their baby. He is in the generation that thinks all answers can be found on the internet. I smiled at him and answered that the best “site” is with another human being who is knowledgeable about you and your baby.

It takes patience, understanding, compassion and knowledge to be a lactation consultant. Sometimes just to keep things simple when people ask me what my job at Manatee Memorial Hospital is, my reply is that I mother mothers. We all know that mothering is all about patience, understanding, compassion, knowledge and giving the best of ourselves that we can possibly give.

Thank you to all the families who have trusted this lactation consultant to guide you and help you during your journey into parenthood.

This story was originally published August 15, 2016 at 5:09 PM with the headline "Finding joy helping mothers feed their babies."