It's Nearly IBCLC Day!!
IBCLC Day this year is March 3rd. Have you thought about what you, as an IBCLC will be doing - or, if you're not an IBCLC what you'll do for your favorite Lactation Consultant - flowers, chocolates, promise never to give a supplement until you've spoken to her first??
This Day is a special day you can devote to letting the world know about IBCLCs ... and maybe celebrating your own achievements over the last year.
If you need some ideas, go to the ILCA website where you'll find plenty of suggestions.
And just in time for IBCLC Day Health e-Learning is releasing a new course!!
ESSENTIAL UPDATE:
the next course for when you've already done your BFHI training.
Continuing staff education for BFHI accredited hospitals is a part of re-accreditation. Your staff already have the basic breastfeeding knowledge - you may have organized workshops, or workbooks, or perhaps yours was one of the hospitals that used Breastfeeding Essentials, the online course, for your initial staff training. We're delighted to announce a new course to keep your staff interested and enthusiastic about breastfeeding knowledge for your re-accreditation with Essential Update! This wholly online course is absolutely up-to-date and gives more advanced breastfeeding knowledge specific to the first week postpartum.
Your staff will love being able to complete their studies online, when it suits them ... and no scheduling of shiftworkers dilemmas for you!
Email Denise Fisher for details.
About Homeopathy for the Breastfeeding Mother: An interview with the author
Health e-Learning: What led to the writing of this book?
Hatherly: Much of what is written in the homoeopathic literature regarding breastmilk is archaic and erroneous and I was heartily sick of hearing eminent homoeopaths (medical doctors to boot) making comment when discussing cases like: "She gave up breastfeeding because her milk was too thin".
Such comments grated; and, as I enjoy the fairly unique perspective of being an IBCLC as well as a classically-trained homoeopath, I decided that my homoeopathic collegues needed to be brought up to speed about all aspects of breastfeeding.
That's why the book is "heavy" on the western medical content and relatively "light" on homeopathic information.
Health e-Learning: So it wasn't intended as such to be of interest to LCs or midwives?
Hatherly: Yes; that's correct. I really thought that there'd be no interest from fellow LCs or midwives or mothers and have been surprised that such interest exists.
Health e-Learning: Does that mean it's more of a "how to" book for homoepaths rather than for any other sector of the health profession?
Hatherly: Yes; that was my intention. However, having said that, the appendices are generic and would prove useful to all manner of health professionals and the sections on management tips and dietary advice for mothers would also have wide appeal. That's why I've given permission for parts of chapter 10 to be copied and disseminated (with acknowledgement).
If a LC bought the book with the hope that it would assist in the use of homoeopathic medicines as part of her management, she'd be frustrated as the homoeopathic information is interwoven more as a vignette or suggestions in passing as my homoeopathic colleagues would bring a level of knowledge and management to each pathological situation that goes beyone mere mention of therapeutic tips.
The homoeopathic Simillimum is chosen by looking at a variety of aspects of each situation and the pathology is the most common or lowest ranked order of rubrics we use in constructing a hierarchy on which to make a prescription.
If a LC thinks that her client is open to, or would benefit from the use of homoeopathic medicines in the treatment of her case then it'd be better to try and work in with a good homoeopath in her hometown.
Health e-Learning: Do you always use homoeopathic medicines when treating mothers who need assistance with breastfeeding?
Hatherly: Most definitely not. Nothing beats good management and dietary advice. No amount of homoeopathic medicines will do their job if the basics of managing the lactation aren't attended to. Generally homoeopathic medicines are most beneficial when there's pathology such as mastitis and white spot. Common problems such as engorgement and other supply issues, cracked nipples or thrush also respond well. However good attachment and management of feeds etc needs to be part of the treatment plan.
Health e-Learning: What about babies?
Hatherly: If it's apparent that a change in the feeding schedule and simple dietary advice is all that's needed, then I go with that. I really don't think Nature intended that babies need any sort of medication in the early weeks. When the birth is straightforward babies need nothing but mother's milk. However when there's failure to thrive or bad cases of colic or reflux then I find homoeopathic medicines are brilliant and fast acting and would be used as part of the treatment plan.
Health e-Learning: The cover of your book is very interesting. What does it mean?
Hatherly: What does it mean to you? (smile)
The Homeopathic Physician's Guide to Lactation is available from:
Capers Bookstore in Australia
Birth International in Australia and the UK
Homeopathic Books in the USA
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Health e-Learning offers a range of online courses in lactation studies suitable for clinicians wanting to update their knowledge and skills, and for candidates of the IBLCE Examination.