Lactation counselor
A lactation counselor is a healthcare provider recognized as an expert in the fields of human lactation and breastfeeding counseling. A certified lactation counselor will carry the initials CLC after her/his name. Lactation counselors can be found working as staff in hospitals, at physician and midwife offices, in private practice, and in the public health sector.
The candidates for the certified lactation counselor credential qualify for this designation by passing the didactic and written examinations of the Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice.[1] CLCs can earn advanced certification in lactation management. The Advanced lactation consultant possesses the insight, knowledge, and skills essential to the development and implementation of management strategies for complex problems related to breastfeeding and human lactation.
Evidence found that breastfeeding interventions including lactation consultants and counselors increased the number of individuals initiating breastfeeding.[2] A systematic review on characteristics and outcomes of postpartum care found that when individuals receive care from a lactation consultant they are more likely to present higher rates of any breastfeeding at six months (but not at one or three months), and higher rates of exclusive breastfeeding at one or three months.[3][4]
References
[edit]- ↑ "ALPP - ALPP - The Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice". www.alpp.org.
- ↑ Patel, Sanjay; Patel, Shveta (August 2016). "The Effectiveness of Lactation Consultants and Lactation Counselors on Breastfeeding Outcomes". Journal of Human Lactation. 32 (3): 530–541. doi:10.1177/0890334415618668. ISSN 1552-5732. PMID 26644419. S2CID 26056972.
- ↑ Saldanha, Ian J.; Adam, Gaelen P.; Kanaan, Ghid; Zahradnik, Michael L.; Steele, Dale W.; Danilack, Valery A.; Peahl, Alex Friedman; Chen, Kenneth K.; Stuebe, Alison M.; Balk, Ethan M. (2023). "Postpartum Care up to 1 Year After Pregnancy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis". effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov. doi:10.23970/ahrqepccer261. PMID 37315166. Retrieved 2024-04-30.
- ↑ "The Importance of Breastfeeding".
