Lactation Programs  

Definitions and Roles of Lactation Providers

A Breastfeeding Educator has completed at least eighteen hours of approved study and clinical experience. In order for hospitals or birth centers to achieve Baby Friendly status staff this level of certification is needed. Also some public health, WIC, and other health agencies may use those with this certification. Doulas, Midwives, and other health care practitioners may want to add it to their qualifications. Their role is primarily education about breastfeeding, and referral to additional lactation specialists for situations where problems may develop.

Breastfeeding Counselors or Lactation Specialists work one on one with mothers in addition to education. This level of preparation involves at least forty hours of instruction and supervised clinical practice.  They are dedicated to the promotion, protection and support of breastfeeding in their work to prevent and solve breastfeeding problems.

International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) is a the only professional credential for lactation consultants recognized by the International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA) and throughout the world by national professional associations for lactation consultants. IBCLCs are members of the health care team who can provide substantive breastfeeding assistance, optimal evidence-based practice in lactation and skilled technical
management of breastfeeding problems. In order to become an IBCLC, you must demonstrate all of the following achievements.

• either be an appropriately qualified health professional OR have completed background education in certain
  specified health disciplines
• complete comprehensive education in lactation that covers the disciplines and chronological periods shown on
  the IBLCE Exam Blueprint
• have extensive practical experience providing breastfeeding counseling to breastfeeding mothers and
  children as outlined in the Clinical Competencies for IBCLC Practice
• pass the IBLCE certification examination

For more information please review the Candidates Information Guide from the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners.

Breastfeeding Educator

LACT 0201 Breastfeeding Educator

This basic or introductory course is designed to introduce the learner to the evidence for best practices in infant feeding.  The learner will be prepared to provide information and services to pregnant women which encourages breastfeeding in accordance with the UNICEF recommendations, the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding.

The course will include didactic instruction in communication skills to facilitate maternal decisions regarding breastfeeding, promotion of a breastfeeding friendly cultural paradigm, impact of cultural and birth practices on initiation and continuation of breastfeeding.  Development of skills in mother and infant positioning, assessing breastfeeding success and recognition of situations that require referral to a more qualified health care provider will be addressed through demonstration and case studies. 

Prerequisites:
None - open enrollment

Computer Requirements: Click here

Practicum:

Students will be expected to participate in guided observation of the initial breastfeeding experience for a mother and baby in their home community.

Tuition: $190.00

Dates: Sept 22-Oct 13th

Lactation Counselor 

This course is designed to build on the learner’s knowledge of the evidence for best practices in infant feeding, developing counseling and clinical skills to support the breastfeeding mother in optimal breastfeeding practices and in overcoming common difficulties. 

The course will include didactic instruction in non-verbal communication skills, use of open questions and reflective responses, and use of empathic and non-judgmental responsiveness. 

Clinical skills development will build on previously acquired skills in mother and infant positioning, assessing breastfeeding success and identification of common difficulties encountered by mothers.

Identification of common anatomical variations in mother and baby will be introduced.  Deviations and problems requiring more advanced preparation will be discussed to facilitate appropriate management and referral. Interventions which are effective in resolving these difficulties will be discussed and demonstrated in the context of case studies. 

Orientation to the use of technology in support of breastfeeding will include the use of nipple shields, breast pumps, and supplemental feeding devices. 

Prerequisites: 

LACT 0201 Breastfeeding Educator or permission of the instructor.
 
Open enrollment.

Computer Requirements: Click here

Practicum: Clinical practice will be incorporated into this course through the use of simulation, role play and community-based practice.

Tuition: $760.00

Six-credit, graded, 8 week course

Dates: October 13-Dec 7, 2008

Lactation Consultant
Training Program
Preparation For ICBLC Exam

These courses meet the educational prerequisites, and prepares students to take the IBLCE exam and ultimately practice as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. Extensive experience (at least 2500 hours) of Breastfeeding Clinical Practice is required in addition to the educational requirements.

Please see the IBLCE Web site for more information.

Prerequisites for the Lactation Consultant Training Program:

LACT 0201 Breastfeeding Educator
or equivalent

LACT 602 Lactation Counselor
or equivalent

0202 Medical Terminology *
BIOL 0603 Anatomy and Physiology*

*can be transferred in from outside colleges

Or

Some prerequisites can be waived for:
Registered Nurses, Certified Professional Midwife or Certified Nurse Midwife, and some qualified health care professionals

These courses will be offered in 2009 for the Lactation Consultant Training Program:

LACT 403 & LACT 404 Lactation Consultant Practice

The following courses are also part of the Lactation Consultant Training Program:

EN 101:College Level English
MATH: College Level Math
HLTH 1401: Nutrition for Pregnancy & Lactation
COMM 2201: Communication Skills
HLTH 3204: Sexuality for the Childbearing year
PED 3304: Child Growth & Development
PSYC 3403: Counseling for at risk families
SOCI 2208: Cultural Diversity

Required Textbooks

LACT 0201 Breastfeeding Educator

Visit the Bookstore for fast delivery of the right book.

Breastfeeding Made Simple by Nancy Mohrbacher

You also will need Breastfeeding Comprehensive DVD

click mothers & others single license
(this DVD will also be used to show your future clients)

Recommended

The Breastfeeding Answer Book 3rd Edition by Mohrbacher, Stock & Newman (La Leche League)

LACT 602 Breastfeeding Counselor
above DVD books and..

Visit the Bookstore for fast delivery of the right book.

Choose ONE of these books

Breastfeeding and Human Lactation by Riordan, J. 

Counseling the Nursing Mother by Lauwers and Swisher

The Breastfeeding Answer Book 3rd Edition by Mohrbacher, Stock & Newman (La Leche League)

ICBLC PREP COURSES
above DVD books and...

Visit the Bookstore for fast delivery of the right book.

Breastfeeding: A Guide for the Medical Profession by Ruth and Robert Lawrence, Robert.

Breastfeeding the Newborn: Clinical Strategies for Nurses by Marie Biancuzzo

ILCA Core Curriculum for Lactation Consultant Practice.

Breastfeeding Management for the Clinician by Marcia Walker

Successful Breastfeeding. The Royal College of Midwives
  Breastfeeding Management. Australian Breastfeeding Association

Instructor

Melinda Hoskins, MS, CNM, IBCLC
Melinda has more than thirty years of experience in maternal and child health with both hospital and birth center experience.  In 1999, Melinda  became an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant, or IBCLC.  The decision to become certified as a lactation consultant grew out of her longstanding interest in breastfeeding and support of mothers in establishing this most important aspect of the mother-baby relationship.  Melinda’s master’s thesis (completed in 1979) looked at telephone support of first-time breastfeeding mothers.  In addition, she has taught pediatric and maternity nursing at nursing programs in Oregon, California and Nevada.  In 2004, Melinda fulfilled her long-term dream of becoming a CNM, through the distance education program at Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing. She currently holds the position of Assistant Professor in the Orvis School of Nursing at University of Nevada Reno. She also has a private practice focusing on women’s health called The Nurturing Space. She lives in Minden, Nevada with her family physician husband,  David Hoskins

Barb Cavanaugh RN, BSN, IBCLC lives in SouthCentral PA, near Harrisburg with her husband and 5 children, ranging from 18 to 2. She has homeschooled several children over the years and was pleased to be able to begin training her oldest daughter as an apprentice last year. She has over 13 years experience in the care of new families and babies in a variety of roles.

She has taught nursing students at a local college and is happy to be able to combine her love of teaching with the flexibility of online learning.  She is excited at the variety of courses offered and the opportunity to participate in course development. 

She has been a LLL leader for over 10 years, served on the area council and has spoken at several conferences.  She has been a RN since 1998, a doula since 2001, an IBCLC in private practice since 2004, and began apprenticing as a direct entry midwife in 2004.  She began her own midwifery practice last year and serves a diverse population including the Old Order Amish and Mennonite communities.  She plans to take the CPM in the spring.