Lactation Consultants: Coming of Age
We'll soon be celebrating IBCLC Day. I realised that our first Lactation Consultants have now been qualified 21 years. When I think about how many IBCLCs there are, how far and wide the profession has spread and especially the growth in the body of knowledge we now have to help mothers and babies it is truly a profession that has 'come of age'.
In this Newsletter Sue Cox, one of the first IBCLCs in Australia and an original representative on the IBLCE Board reflects on those first meetings that began the profession.
As professionals, applying researched techniques is the mainstay of evidence-based practice and we've reviewed a book that aims to help the IBCLC achieve this goal.
We're also delighted to make an announcement about the Ethics course that will please our present and future students. And there is some Hot Gossip too!
Until next month,
Enjoy those mothers and babies,
Denise Fisher, IBCLC
denise@health-e-learning.com
Happy IBCLC Day 2007!
by Kendall Cox, IBCLC Day Coordinator
IBCLC Day 2007 is nearly here! The first Wednesday in March (March 7th this year) is the official day set aside to celebrate the unique care IBCLCs provide mothers and babies around the world.
Assisting mothers and babies, raising breastfeeding awareness of colleagues, mentoring future IBCLCs in sharpening their breastfeeding support skills--these are the every day tasks of a board certified lactation consultant. As more and more mothers around the world choose to breastfeed, the need for accurate information and timely support becomes even more crucial to help mothers accomplish their goals.
IBCLCs teach the how-tos of breastfeeding and are there to offer reassurance that breastfeeding is going well and solutions should a mother have questions or concerns. When babies are breastfed, the whole community benefits, making IBCLC Day a day to celebrate for us all.
IBCLCs truly are providing unique care for breastfeeding mothers and babies!
Reflections on our Beginnings
by Sue Cox, IBCLC
I was thinking about the tremendous growth that has occurred in the IBCLC profession in such a short time. I am sure that none of the members of the inaugural International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners which met in Washington DC in March 1985 could imagine how successful the dream of a world wide profession would become. Since its inception the IBLCE has had 25,000 exam candidates who represent fifty countries around the world. Over the years the exam has been translated into thirteen languages which candidates have been able to take in their own country/state.
One of the things I remember vividly from reviewing the first exam was that it was not international and culturally appropriate – ounces and pounds were used; Fahrenheit temperatures; mg/L for bilirubin levels and foods like collards were quite foreign to me here in Australia. In that first exam these were all altered and as the years have gone on the process of making the exam culturally appropriate in all countries it is offered has continued.
As well as a Board meeting in March 1985 there was also a meeting of some of the members from the Panel of Experts with over sixty international specialist members with a core interest in lactation. This panel had been surveyed, prior to the meeting, with a list of the basic categories of skills, knowledge and attitudes that the LLLI Lactation Consultant Program considered a Certified Lactation Consultant should possess. Their comments and recommendations became the examination blueprint.
The first IBLCE board had representatives from other professions and organizations from the USA, Canada and Australia which made the IBLCE truly international from its inception. The new profession not only provided the impetus to bring new practitioners into the profession but also allow the well established breastfeeding specialists and advocates to have her/his skills validated by the new credential. I believe the most far sighted decision by the Board was that recertification be necessary by CERPs at five years and re-examination at 10 years. This has kept IBCLCs current in their practice and has aided in our profession being strong and well respected.
Happy IBCLC day to you all wherever you are in the world and especially to those of you who will need to translate this newsletter. Thank you for your energy and perseverance in not only learning the latest in lactation but spending hours changing what you receive into your own language.
Book Review
Breastfeeding Management for the Clinician: Using the Evidence
By Marsha Walker
Boston: Jones and Bartlett Publishers, 2006
Reviewed by Barbara Ash, MA, IBCLC.
With Breastfeeding Management for the Clinician, Marsha Walker adds a vital, missing piece to the lactation consultant’s professional library. This book encompasses the three major components of our profession: the science of lactation; infant-related; and maternal-related challenges to breastfeeding. Each chapter has an introduction, clear and well-developed chapter structure, figures, drawings and tables (some of which will be familiar to the well-read lactation consultant) and an exhaustive reference list. The reference list is especially useful for those desiring follow-up reading.
While this book presumes a fundamental knowledge of health science and lactation, it can and should serve as a key preparation text for preparing for the certification exam. Walker’s detailed text and her ability to combine and synthesize information from a variety of sources not only results in a desk reference, but also provides a text and summaries useful for studying or preparing presentations. [Several examples are Table 3-2, Infant Sucking and Breast Function Parameters, p. 101; Appendix V: Summary Interventions on Shield Use, p. 240 and Table 6-3, Infant Factors that May Contribute to Slow Weight Gain.]
The book also includes resources not always available to all lactation consultants, depending upon work environment. Decision tree flowcharts and breastfeeding assessment models are useful to those in private practice trying to understand “how that happened”. Her thorough yet concise descriptions and evidence-based treatment approaches for such commonly seen conditions as jaundice and hypoglycemia are included, as well as many others.
Ms Walker’s treatment of less commonly seen infant conditions, as well as mothers’ challenges, is no less authoritative. She addresses such complicated issues as cleft palate and tongue tie, but in addition to describing the breastfeeding problem, she explains the underlying etiology, which few breastfeeding textbooks do. While engorgement and mastitis are well discussed, so are physical limitations, autoimmune disorders, and endocrine disorders, mental illnesses, and other issues. Practical suggestions for supporting breastfeeding and the mother herself are provided, along with additional resources.
The weaknesses of this text are minor and few. Because of the frequency of diagnosis of GER and GERD, this section could benefit from additional information, including signs and symptoms; its association with apnea with feeding (Bauman et. al. 1996); and with underlying disease (Andze et.al. 1991). The section on the mechanics of sucking should also include the ultrasound research by Ramsay (2004).
While the author states this book is “designed as a practical reference rather than a thick textbook”, and it is “…intended to provide busy clinicians with options for clinical interventions and the rationale behind them…”, I beg to differ. I believe she has admirably done both. She has written an excellent textbook and a practical reference that every lactation consultant, experienced, new or soon-to-be, should have on her shelf.
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ON THE WEB
It's a matter of Ethics!
ET01: Ethics for Lactation Consultants, actually!
Wow!! Lactation Consultants are certainly passionate about ethical matters. The forum in this course is running hot with discussions of great issues. Many participants have asked to stay in the course for longer to continue participation in the forum so we've extended the enrollment period. When you enroll now you'll remain enrolled for 2 months.
You'll receive the 5 E CERPs you need for recertification, and the knowledge you need if you're sitting the IBLCE exam, AND have the opportunity to discuss lots of issues in the forums for a full two months.
If you haven't yet enrolled in this great course go to Ethics for Lactation Consultants to read more about it and enroll.
Get great ideas for IBCLC Day
If you haven't been there already, go now to the ILCA website to read about IBCLC Day. Here's the link: http://www.ilca.org/news/ibclcday.php. Here you'll find ideas for you to use, resources and fun products you can purchase to help the celebrations along.
Lactation Exam Practice review course
Do you know someone sitting the IBLCE exam this year? If they're not already enrolled into Lactation Exam Practice now's a good time to do it. "I was really able to sharpen my skills in the reading of test questions, extracting important info and analyzing my way through the answers. I also learned a great deal from the exams. I found the exam questions to be well-written and meaningful."
Go to Lactation Exam Practice for more details and to enroll.
Hot Gossip
There's going to be an ONLINE conference with some of the World's best speakers and reseachers in June! This is the conference that comes to you.
Watch this spot for more details.
Know someone who is interested in breastfeeding?
Send them this newsletter now.
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Lactation Consultants: Professionals in Lactation
