Lactation Consultant RN

SUMMARY

Provides preventive prenatal and postpartum instruction; identifies early signs of breastfeeding difficulties and suggests appropriate options to parents and medical staff.

Essential functions

• 1.
• Cooperate with other health workers in maintaining frequent and regular communication with the breastfeeding mother.
• 2.
• Confers with mothers and assesses the progress of breastfeeding and may recommend alternatives that will improve its quality and increase its duration.
• 3.
• Assists in the following: A.
• Prevention and management of engorgement.
• B.
• Prevention and management of sore nipples.
• C.
• Promotion of ample milk supply D.
• Breastfeeding the infant with slow weight gain or failure to thrive; when the infant is jaundiced; more than one infant (twins, triplets, tandem); the premature infant; when mother and infant are separated (hospitalization, employment, school); in the presence of food intolerance and/or allergy; the infant with special needs.
• E.
• Suck difficulties that interfere with breastfeeding.
• 4.
• Instructs mothers in the appropriate use of breastfeeding devices.

Other responsibilities

1. The lactation consultant may provide

• A.
• Prenatal and postnatal breastfeeding classes.
• B.
• Private consultations C.
• Home visits D.
• Assistance in the Hospital E.
• Inservice education to health professionals F.
• Training for students: nurses, dietitians and physicians G.
• Telephone counseling for mothers H.
• Breast pump rentals and other devices I.
• Educational materials and literature

2. Other duties as assigned from time to time.

Supervisory responsibilities

None.

Education, knowledge, abilities, experience and skills