Consumer satisfaction and safety depend upon recruitment and retention of outstanding healthcare practitioners (IBCLE, 2011b). International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) are healthcare professionals who specialize in the clinical management of breastfeeding and human lactation (WHO, 2007). The IBCLC shares current, evidence-based information in breastfeeding and lactation to provide anticipatory guidance, as well as to empower mothers and families to manage breastfeeding challenges if they arise (ILCA, 2011). The rigorous professional standards of the IBCLC, and the mandated demonstration of specialized knowledge and skill through international certification, are the integral to the function of the mother’s and infant’s healthcare team (ILCA, 2011).
Medical science has proven that there are momentous health benefits to breastfeeding that are unrivaled by substitutes. As defined by the Joint Commission (2012), these benefits include, but are not limited to:
• full nutrition for babies for up to six months,
• 50% less risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS),
• fewer ear and respiratory infections for baby,
• enhanced newborn brain development,
• decreased risk of obesity for baby,
• less risk of postpartum depression for mom,
• decreased risk of diabetes for moms and babies,
• decreased risk of breast and ovarian cancer for mom, and
• a faster postpartum recovery for both mother and baby.
By promoting a healthy community, enhancing the competitive image of Fairview Range as an organization, and supporting evidence-based care resulting from adding an IBCLC to the healthcare team, this position would have a positive long-term impact on the organization and the health of its community members. The efforts to provide compassionate, nurturing, and evidence-based care to the mothers, babies, and families we serve will not go unnoticed.
References
International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE). (2011b). Why hire an IBCLC? Retrieved from http://americas.iblce.org/why-hire-an-ibclc.
International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA). (2011). Position Paper on the Role and Impact of the IBCLC. Retrieved from http://www.ilca.org/files/resources/ ilca_publications/Role-Impact-of-the-IBCLC.pdf.
The Joint Commission. (2012). What you need to know about breastfeeding. Speak Up Campaign. Retrieved from http://www.jointcommission.org/speakup.aspx.
World Health Organization (WHO). (2007). Evidence on long term effects of breastfeeding: systematic reviews and metaanalyses. Geneva: World Health Organization [WHO].