Many hospitals employee a lactation team of Internationally Board-Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC). These IBCLCs are the gold standard in lactation support. So, if a hospital has an IBCLC, why would hospitals need certified breastfeeding counselors?
Simply put, breastfeeding initiation often takes consistent support. IBCLCs are typically required to meet with many of the patients on the floor, leaving them little time for ongoing support. They are excellent at navigating difficult latches, needing to pump for medical reasons, etc.
However, the staff which spend the most time with mother baby dyads are often the nurses, followed by midwives, physician assistants, etc. When they receive additional lactation training, they can better support patients.
As more hospitals work towards Baby Friendly designation, they recognize a need for more trained lactation professionals. By adding Certified Breastfeeding Counselors (CBC) to hospital staff, it is easier to achieve and maintain Baby Friendly designations.
Why Do Hospitals Need Certified Breastfeeding Counselors?
As mentioned above, hospitals need certified breastfeeding counselors to provide more support to their patients. As we aim to increase breastfeeding initiation, exclusive breastfeeding, and duration of breastfeeding, more lactation support is a must.
For our patients in need of support for breastfeeding problems, IBCLCs are vital. However, for our patients in need of normal breastfeeding support for common challenges, CBCs offer excellent support. The CBC training is a perfect certification for already employed hospital staff.
Our CBC course training includes:
- Lactation History and Advocacy
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Concerns Related to the Breast
- Composition of Human Milk
- Nutrition during Lactation
- Initiating Breastfeeding
- Counseling Methods and Skills
- Impact of Culture
- Understanding Hospital Practices
- Breast Pumps and Storage
- Counseling Mothers Going Back to Work
- Breastfeeding Multiples
- Understanding Ages and Stages
- Counseling in Special Situations
- Breastfeeding the Infant with Medical Challenges
This training provides all the lactation basics required to support new parents within the hospital. This information is also useful for those taking prenatal classes through the hospital.
What is Baby Friendly Designation?
The Baby Friendly designation means a hospital has followed specific steps and implemented policies meeting certain criteria. The criteria is designed to help the most babies have access to breastfeeding and breast milk.
“As the accrediting body and national authority for the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) in the United States, Baby-Friendly USA (BFUSA) is responsible for coordinating and conducting all activities necessary to confer the prestigious Baby-Friendly® designation and ensure the widespread adoption of the BFHI in the US.”
In the US, BFUSA is responsible for approving hospitals who meet their criteria. There are ten steps required as well as implementing WHO International Code for Marketing Breast-Milk Substitutes. These ten steps are broken into two categories which include:
- Critical Management Procedures
- Key Clinical Practices
Some hospitals need certified breastfeeding counselors to meet some of the criteria. While basic lactation training can help hospitals meet criteria, full CBC training ensures you are really meeting the criteria for Baby Friendly support.
Under Critical Management Procedures, point two states: “Ensure that staff have sufficient knowledge, competence and skills to support breastfeeding.”
Under Key Clinical Procedures, point five states: “Support mothers to initiate and maintain breastfeeding and manage common difficulties.”
As you saw above, our training provides the necessary education and skills to cover both of those points, as well as the others. Be sure to read about all ten steps: Ten Steps and International Code.
Hospitals Partner With International Breastfeeding Institute
As more hospitals aim to improve breastfeeding rates, they are seeking out quality, evidenced based lactation training for staff.
One of the most accessible and affordable ways to do this is by partnering with us at the International Breastfeeding Institute. All our academic lactation hours meet the standards for IBCLE, the overseeing organization for IBCLCs.
Our unique online, self-paced training allows even the busiest hospital employees to receive quality training. At the end of 2023, IBI was able to partner with New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center and New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical (NYPH) to provide dozens of staff members with lactation education.
If you would like to partner with us, be sure to reach out today! Email us at info@internationaldoulainstitute.com or call us at 484-278-1648