FAQ - Lactation Disorders
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Is it possible to induce lactation and breastfeed a surrogate/adopted baby within a year of giving birth?


I lost my baby 2 weeks back at 36 weeks.
My doctor told me there will be on and off lactation for 2 yrs..I am lactating now.
I want to know if a woman can induce lactation say a year or year and a half after baby is born.
Is it something that real moms of surrogate babies do?
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Yes, it is entirely possible
Even if you weren't lactating now
Women do this all the time
It is hard work, but by pumping 8-12 times a day and taking a prescription drug called Reglan or Domperidone, you have a great chance of re-lactating
The already having lactated does help your chances too
I am so sorry for your loss  (+ info)

How do i become a lactation consultant in the Austin area?


Im a medical assistant, i have been working at a community clinic for two years now. I mostly care for OB patients and after deliver care for their babies. In my job scope i do alot of OB patient education and newborn parent education. I would love to become a lactation consultant. I have done some online research, its somewhat confusing could someone help!!? Thanks.
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Hook-up with a local mid-wife or birthing center. I'm sure they can key you into how to get educated and working as a lactation consultant.
That is so awesome!!
Good Luck!!  (+ info)

How do you become a lactation consultant?


I am a teacher, so I have a college degree?

Do you have to be a nurse to be a lactation consultant or is it just an exam that I could study for and take?

How much do lactation consultants make?

Where do they work (besides hospitals)?

Are they in demand, or will it be hard for me to find a job?

I am currently off work and home with my baby, but plan on going back eventually.... kind of thinking of a career change. I love teaching and the kids, but get annoyed with the politics of it all.
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Unfortunately, having a college degree isn't enough to help you become a Lactation Consultant. It is possible for anyone depending on how much experience you have, but much easier for nurses and those with health care experience directly related to breastfeeding.

The requirements seem to have changed from a couple of years ago when I last looked into this. The description of what it takes to qualify as a Lactation Consultant appears rather vague now, but the IBLCE is still the organization you need to look toward:
http://www.iblce.org/index.php
I don't know what country you are in, so I just linked to the generic website. If you press "go to your region" you will find a drop down menu listing requirements. The FAQ seems to be most helpful.

They used to require anywhere from a few hundred clinical hours to a few thousand, depending on whether you were an RN or lay person interested in the field. Now they seem to have tried to open it up more for those who are already dieticians, midwives, or other related fields.

They continue to give La Leche League Leaders the equivalent of 500 credit hours per year for up to two years of leading groups. This may be your best route for experience since you do not work in the health care field. However, you also might want to consider where you want to work. In the US, most hospitals will not hire an LC who isn't also an RN with labor and delivery or NICU experience. You are more likely to get a job at WIC or another non-hospital affiliated organization that offers breastfeeding support.

Another site with information on course requirements and educational credits toward LC:
http://www.ilca.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3488  (+ info)

How do I become a lactation consultant?


I am trying to find a good program, but I am having a problem locating one! Online programs are just fine, but so far all my research ultimately leads me to schools that offer health degrees but not specific lactation degrees!

Also, I am currently becoming a birth Doula, and am looking for some good lactation classes to fulfill that requirement.

Any help is really appreciated!
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Becoming an IBCLC certified LC is not an easy process. It takes several years and much money and effort. (Which is why most LCs are already nurses -- they've already done much of the training in nursing school.)

Their own website

http://www.iblce.org/index.php

has some info, but if you're working on becoming a doula, and just want to be able to provide basic assistance to your clients, you might do better with a shorter program, like CAPPA's lactation educator program.

http://www.cappa.net/get-certified.php?lactation-educator

(That's what I did -- a two day training session, some homestudy, shadowing an LC for a couple of days, and going to LLL meetings.)  (+ info)

How to induce lactation without pregnancy for adoptive baby?


We are adopting a baby and my wife wants to feed her and she has never been pregnant. We want to know is there a way to induce lactation without pregnancy
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That's just weired...  (+ info)

How can a 23yr that has never been pregnant suddenly experience lactation?


I'm a 23 year old female, never been pregnant, and experiencing lactation? The only thing i can find on this is "induced lactation" but this has taken me by suprise and was in no way planned. I am feeling quite aware of my chest since this started and sometimes feel discomfort. What should i know about whats happening to me and do i need to worry about tradtional concerns those breastfeeding deal with?
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There are three ways to do it one is totally innocent the other two need intervention

1) too much breast stimulation, lots of play during sex, this is really the case you want

2) cysts on one of your hormone producing organs, the next worse case

3) tumors, if you have a brain tumor pressing against the pituitary gland it will product excess amounts of prolactine causing you to lactate

You really should see your doctor about this problem  (+ info)

How much do lactation consultations make? And what experience do you need?


Every time I speak with a lactation consultation they tell me I should become one. They say I am the perfect example of how to nurse multiple children and am quite a pro.

I been breastfeeding for the past 48 months straight. I just had my third child. And my 23 month old still nurses for comfort. Mainly at night time or when hurt.

So what else do you need to become a lactation consultation?
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I'm not sure about how much they make, but ignore all the rude comments and keep breastfeeding.

This is from Dr. Sears:

The incidence of many illnesses, both childhood and adult, are lowered by breastfeeding -- diabetes, heart disease, and central nervous system degenerative disorders (such as multiple sclerosis) to name a few. The most fascinating studies show that the longer and more frequently a mom nurses her baby, the smarter her child is likely to become. The brain grows more during the first two years of life than any other time, nearly tripling in size from birth to two years of age. It's clearly a crucial time for brain development, and the intellectual advantage breastfed babies enjoy is attributed to the "smart fats" unique to mom's breast milk (namely, omega-3 fatty acid, also known as DHA). From head to toe, babies who breastfeed for extended periods of time are healthier overall. They tend to have leaner bodies with less risk of obesity. They also have improved vision, since the eye is similar to the brain in regards to nervous tissue. They have better hearing due to a lower incidence of ear infections. Their dental health is generally good, since the natural sucking action of the breastfed infant helps incoming teeth align properly. Intestinal health is also much better than those of non-breastfed babies, as breast milk is easier to digest, reducing spit-up, reflux, and constipation. A toddler's immune system functions much better since breastmilk contains an immunoglobulin (IGA) which coats the lining of the intestines, which helps prevent germs from penetrating through. Even the skin of these babies is smoother and more supple.  (+ info)

Is there some sore of 800 number for lactation consultants?


Is there a number where I can reach a lactation consultant at 8 PM on a sunday night? I can't seem to find one, and I have no local lactation consultants in my area.
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If you call the nearest hospital they should be able to give you a number or at least tell you who can.  (+ info)

What types of training/education do lactation consultants need?


I am just curious. I would call and ask the lactation consultant at the hospital, but I am hoping that she is busy assisting new moms.
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well... a REAL lactation consultant has the IBCLC credentials at the end of her name.

unfortunately, not all "lactation consultants, lactation specialist, lactation nurses, lactation coaches" have the same credentials - some just have an extra little piece of training, some just read up more on breastfeeding, some are simply designated as the maternity ward's lactation nurse because she nursed her own kids.

International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) are the real deal. They and La Leche League Leaders are the only ones with standard, across the board training. (oh and WIC's breastfeeding peer counselors have standard training, via LLL)

http://americas.iblce.org/home.php# look at the "IBCLC Certification" tab across the top.

also look at Kelly Bonyata's continuing education transcript:
http://kellymom.com/about/kelly-ce.html (although, it looks like it needs updating! - it still gives you an idea of what not only the need to have to get their IBCLC credentials, but what they have to do to MAINTAIN those credentials!)  (+ info)

I am interested in becoming a lactation consultant. What do I have to do?


I have my bachelors degree in Social Work and enjoy working with mothers and I am very passionate about educating them about breastfeeding. What steps do I have to take in order to become a lactation consultant? I have already been to the websites and I have just become confused. I would love to hear from someone who knows the process first hand. Thank you very much!
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Question: I would like to become a lactation consultant. What do I need to do?
Answer: You will need a combination of college courses, a lactation course, and clinical practice hours as described below.
College Prerequisites: As a first step, you will want to visit the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners' website (see below) to learn about requirements for certification. To qualify to take the certification exam you will need to have taken post secondary courses in anatomy and physiology, sociology, psychology or counseling, child development, and nutrition. You may have taken courses in college that will satisfy some of these requirements. If there are some you need to take, you can begin that while you are putting the rest of your requirements in place.
Lactation Management Course: Your second step will be to complete a course in lactation management. The course must have been taken within 3 years of sitting for the exam, so you will want to plan this carefully. ILCA has a Directory of Course Providers accessible from the Education tab on the home page. The Guide to Selecting a Lactation Course will help you in your selection process. Requirements may change so be sure to check with IBLCE regarding current requirements when you are ready to complete a lactation program.
Clinical Experience: The third step involves hands-on clinical experience with breastfeeding mothers and babies. The number of clinical hours you will be required to have will depend on your background. Depending on the certification track you use, some of the hours may need to be acquired under clinical supervision. You can review information on the IBLCE website and call them if you have questions.
Continuing Education: Attending conferences and other forms of self study are other important means of preparing for the profession and staying current with research and clinical practice. Conferences are a valuable opportunity to network with lactation consultants from around the world. Visit the Conference page on the ILCA website to learn about ILCA's annual conference. Also visit the Worldwide Education Calendar for other offerings in your area. Check ILCA’S Independent Study Modules for other opportunities for self study.
Contacts:
International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE), E-mail [email protected], Website www.iblce.org, Phone 703.560.7330
International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA), Email [email protected], Website www.ilca.org, Phone 919.861.5577 or 888.452.2478 (ILCA-IS-U) toll free in U.S. and Canada  (+ info)

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