The International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) and International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA) have recognized Chester County Hospital for excellence in lactation care.
Chester County Hospital received the International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) Care Award in recognition for staffing IIBCLCs and providing a lactation program that is available 5-7 days a week for breastfeeding families. In addition, the Hospital demonstrated that it has provided recent breastfeeding training for Medical Staff that care for new families, and has recently completed activities that help protect, promote and support breastfeeding.
According to Cathy Carothers, President of ILCA, "This recognition highlights the efforts being made by maternity facilities all across the world to help mothers get off to a good start with breastfeeding, and to support them in reaching their goals. IBCLCs have the only internationally recognized lactation credential in the world, and are highly skilled in helping mothers with the questions and concerns that can arise. They are also an important part of the overall maternal and child health team by assuring that evidence-based policies and practices are in place that help mothers succeed with breastfeeding."
Lactation Consultants focus on preventive care, so they are available during pregnancy to assess the mother and provide information on how to get off to a good start. They continue that assistance after the baby is born by helping mothers latch their babies appropriately and answering their questions, and continue supporting them as their baby grows. They assist mothers returning to work or school, and help mothers in more unusual situations such as breastfeeding more than one baby, nursing a sick or premature infant, and dealing with other challenges.
Carothers says that "Breastfeeding rates are on the rise today and with that dramatic increase the need for trained professionals who can help also increases. Lactation Consultants are the trained experts who know how to work with the entire health care team so that a mother's breastfeeding goals can be met."
Released: March 16, 2011