What to Look for in a Lactation Consultant

TriHealth's Lactation Consultants: Why We're Unique

TriHealth lactation consultants are International Board Certified. Eight of our 13 IBCLCs have been practicing for 10 to 15-plus years, making us well-prepared to help with a variety of mother and baby breastfeeding issues.

• If you would like more information, contact the TriHealth Breastfeeding Care Center (513 862 7867 option 3).
• Monday - Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Saturday, from 8 a.m. to noon (12 p.m.)

Why to seek out a Lactation Specialist

If you and your baby are experiencing the following breastfeeding problems, schedule an appointment with one of our lactation consultants:

• Baby is having difficulty latching on and/or breastfeeding
• Mother has sore and/or damaged nipples or has breast pain
• Baby is not eating 8-12 times in 24 hours in first three months of life
• Baby does not have adequate urines or stools in 24 hours. For each day of baby’s life, expect that number of urines and stools. By day 5 of life, baby should have 6-8+ urines and 4-6+stools in 24 hours and continue this output through six weeks of age.
• Baby needs to be given a supplemental bottle or syringe of breast milk or formula
• Baby is not gaining well or is losing weight
• Mother is experiencing milk production problems (high or low)

What Type of Experience Your Lactation Consultant Should Have

The term “lactation consultant” does not mean that the person has attained this special certification. Anyone can call themselves a lactation consultant and charge for their services. The term lactation consultant is not a registered or certified name. Ask about the lactation consultant’s credentials to make sure that the person you will be seeing is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).

International Board Certified Lactation Consultants have preparation that includes more 1000 hours of clinical experience and completed at least 90 hours of specialized continuing education. They are required to show ongoing clinical competence by recertifying every five years by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners. IBCLCs have a professional association, a code of ethics, and standards of practice. They have the knowledge and expertise to address simple and complex breastfeeding and lactation problems.

An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) is an allied health care professional who has specialized knowledge in the area of breastfeeding and lactation. They already maintain a certification in another health care profession such as nursing, speech therapy, physical therapy, or occupational therapy.

Patient Information:

When meeting with a lactation consultant, and to cut down wait times, please fill out and bring in the following form prior to your appointment:
Breastfeeding History Form (PDF)

References:

Brooks, E.C.(2013)Legal and Ethical Issues for the IBCLC. Burlington, MA; Jones & Bartlett Learning.

International Lactation Consultant Association (2014) What is an IBCLC? Retrieved from http://www.ilca.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3832