Lactation Education Resources Blog

As the COVID vaccine is rolled out across the United States, many lactation consultants employed in hospitals, clinics, health departments, and other settings are already being offered the opportunity to be vaccinated through their employers. However, private practice lactation consultants who are self-employed are now wondering when they might hav...

I started Nursing at a very young age and still I have several years to work. My experience includes 30+ years working OB. What a wonderful way to finish my last trimester than helping new Mom's to perfect their God given ability to nourish their babies.

I was a 22 yr old, first-time parent in 1988. My own mom told me that breastfeeding was "just a fad" --but the price of formula- at SIX dollars a can was too much for my budget. The only support I got was from one kind nurse. I can still see her eyes smiling above her mask. She had a slight German accent and reminded me of my grandmother. My first ...

My first baby, born in 1975, was premature at 34 weeks gestation, cared for in an excellent NICU for its time. There was little communication to parents, no visits into the unit, no contact with baby until discharge, no mention of how you might intend to feed your baby. It was understood that breastfeeding was too hard for premies, and no mention o...

I breastfed my first 2 children with ease for almost 9mo each. When I had my third child I got a very serious nipple wound from improperly pumping. Every time I nursed my daughter it would tear open and bleed. I didn't know what to do or how to help myself. I kept thinking that if I just placed her properly on my breast it would heal.I was up day a...

Breastfeeding prevents allergies.  No it doesn’t.  Breastfeeding helps prevent obesity.  No it doesn’t.  Breastfeeding babies have higher IQs later.  No they don’t.   It is dizzying to follow the research reports on the benefits of breastfeeding.  Just when there are several studies showing a certain benefit,...

I remember my experience following around Lactation Consultants at Georgetown University Hospital over 20 years ago. Those LC’s made a huge impression on me and I made several decisions about how I would or would not practice from those experiences. Recently, I started working with Lactation Education Resources and began taking interns. Sometimes I...

Lactation Education Resources has conducted it second annual Scholarship competition and we are pleased to congratulate the winners! Drum roll here please…………. Shlonda Smith  Augusta GA “After obtaining my IBCLC, my goal is to help all moms with breastfeeding support with a special emphasis on protection/promotion/support among women of color....

The biggest challenge facing many aspiring lactation consultants is where to obtain their clinical hours.  Those who have the easiest path for this are RNs working in maternity, nursery, labor and delivery, or other maternity setting.  They can collect clinical practice hours at work as they focus on Pathway 1. But for those who are not i...

I just got home from the AWHONN conference in Orlando.  We heard speakers talk about their plans to have an all IBCLC staff on their maternity units.  Now that is an exciting idea and what a great benefit for all of the breastfeeding mothers.   Expert help, at hand, whenever needed! Other speakers talked about a mix of skills.&n...