Historically, women would look to their mom, sister, aunt, friend or grandma for support through pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and child rearing. Since formula made its debut in the mid to late 1800s, less and less women have been breastfeeding. By the 1970’s only 1 in 5 women were attempting to breastfeed. Sadly, those who did breastfeed were outcast by their peers and doctors. These mothers would hide their parenting style as if it were a “bad” thing to do. Finally, a feminist group in Chicago, Illinois noticed the need to support mothers who wish to breastfeed in 1956. The seven founders began private meetings for mother to mother support, open to anyone who wished for breastfeeding information. This group is still in existence today and is called La Leche League; named after a Spanish lactating shrine in Florida. These women pioneered a movement to teach “The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding “at a time where you couldn’t turn to your doctor, family or friends. They affiliate with medical professionals who provide breastfeeding advice for the trickier problems. La Leche League has grown into an international organization, whose primary focus is to share information and encouragement while building confidence in new mothers who want to breastfeed. Albeit hoping this would eventually bring generations back full circle.
So, if we have La Leche League, Breastfeeding USA, Nursing Mothers Advisory Counsel, online groups, breastfeeding cafes and various other free monthly meetings for women in need of breastfeeding support, why then should someone pay for private help? Remember the saying “it takes a village to raise a child”, well the same can be said for raising a mother. She will always benefit from complementary support. Seek out your tribe well before delivery if possible and embrace the different mentoring styles. There is a myriad of ways to learn and you will find which classification you fit in.
It is a benefit to go to support group meetings. They are free, informal and many lifetime friendships are formed, for you and your children. Not to mention how gratifying it is that someday you will be the confident mom who gives the breastfeeding advice to a newbie. Every now and again, you may need a one on one clinical team for more intricate problems. See below to help navigate the labyrinth to professional lactation support.
Unfortunately, in today’s world of hormonal imbalances it is not always a simple ride through pregnancy, birth and beyond so it’s not surprising that some moms and babies may need a more experienced voice. For example; if you have a thyroid problem wouldn’t you want an endocrinologist on your team? Choosing whom to reach out to can feel overwhelming and expensive, consequently making you want to stop breastfeeding instead (which is another expense). Since formula companies would have you believe that human milk and their products are equal, why bother to breastfeed? Sure, we know it’s healthier for babies, but as I pointed out, many generations have not had any human milk and survived. Or did they? To what expense?
Before I review the assorted differences in education and experience amongst those with breastfeeding credentials, I want to be clear that they all have the same goals in mind: to give accurate information to the best of their knowledge at the time.
I’ve broken these experts down into groups, for ease. If there is a specific credential you are looking for and you aren’t seeing it, I’m sure it’s in one of these categories. Reach out to me for more detailed info.
- Some doctors, physician assistants, nurses and nurse practitioners may have continuing education in breastfeeding. You can ask your obstetrician and pediatrician if they are part of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine.
- IBCLCs or International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants have the most rigorous training. College education, clinical’s (following and assisting another ibclc for 500-1000 hours), board exam, continuing education and recertification can take years to accomplish before successfully becoming an IBCLC. IBLCE is the most trusted source for certifying practitioners in lactation and breastfeeding care. They have been credentialing since 1985 and are on a path to license IBCLCs.
- Certified breastfeeding specialists, lactation counselors, lactation specialists or the like, can do certificate courses, workshops, online education, conferences, self study modules. Most education will take 20 to 40 hours. Clinical’s are not necessary.
- Doulas, childbirth educators and breastfeeding counselors can take an online course and be able to do basic teaching. One on one instruction is not part of their education although some doulas may have extensive training through birth education.
- Peer counselors are fitting to the description of La Leche League in the first paragraph. Along with La Leche League, Breastfeeding USA is on the rise. Breastfeeding cafes and WIC peer counselors fit into this profile as well. Required reading, a small class, writing papers and experience are part of their training.
As I said in the beginning, women have been helping women navigate parenthood through experience, since humans roamed the earth. When breastfeeding became “unfashionable” in the 1860’s and women stopped breastfeeding, the techniques that had been passed on for generations fell by the wayside. Since the 1980’s, the limelight has been shed on breastfeeding once again. Public health experts across the world have agreed to educate women about the necessity to use human milk for human babies for healthier generations to come. History does repeat itself, although this time women were unable to look through the lineage of their ancestors for support, thus creating a new way to share the “art” of breastfeeding. Forming generations of curious women who want to help each other with limited experience compelled a new subject in education. Today, with the countless pathways a person chooses to gain education in lactation, a mother will have no problem finding someone to help her pilot her breastfeeding journey. From an experienced stranger online to a friend or family member with some confidence we are on the road back to ancient times.
Credentials will tell you the extent of the persons education, not the experience unless he/she is an IBCLC. Only this credential has education and experience. When reaching out for help, ask for the training and background of that person. Would you want someone who finished an online course in endocrinology but has never examined a patient before? Credentials matter when you and your baby are struggling. Remember it takes a village!
If you’d like to become a lactation expert, reach out to me and I will help guide you.
Happy parenting!