Roles of Lactation Consultant in Lactation Management

Breast milk is regarded as ideal, natural and protective food for newborns. Breastfeeding is a natural and critical act that provides energy and nutrients that the child needs at first half of infancy, up to half or more and one third of the child’s nutritional and energy needs during the second half of infancy and the second year of life. Global breastfeeding scorecards revealed only 41% of infants are exclusively breastfed which is far from the global target of 70% by 2030. Though in Nigeria, the initiation of breastfeeding has improved the practice and duration of exclusive breastfeeding remains low. Previous breast surgery, flat or inverted nipples, insufficient glandular development, Sheehan syndrome, unilateral involution are among the challenges of breastfeeding. There are several factors responsible for the non-compliance of mothers towards exclusive breastfeeding which include; education, social class, culture, location, nature of work, lack of time, lack of knowledge, lack of support from the husband and family members, health status of both the nursing mothers and their infants. The resurgence of professionals who has interest in promoting breastfeeding; lactation consultant is now very common. Nurses who have acquired sufficient knowledge, expertise, and experience are commonly seen as lactation educators or breastfeeding specialist. They are clinically competent to assist and support the mother-infant pair, identify common breastfeeding problems and its managements, and early identification of illness. A lactation consultant can work in many different settings like postpartum hospital units, freestanding birth centers, pediatric offices, and public health clinics.  Some lactation consultants choose to work independently. Lactation consultants care for women of childbearing age and their newborn babies. A lactation consultant usually works during the day shift, but that may vary depending on where they work.

Keywords: Breastfeeding, Lactation Consultant, Lactation Management,