Methodist Women's Hospital Receives IBCLC Care Award

The International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners^® (IBLCE^®) and International Lactation Consultant Association^® (ILCA^®) have recognized Methodist Women’s Hospital for excellence in lactation care.

Methodist has received the IBCLC Care Award, which recognizes facilities that hire International Board Certified Lactation Consultant^® (IBCLC^®) staff and provide a lactation program for breastfeeding families. In addition, Methodist showed that it has completed activities that help protect, promote and support breastfeeding.

Methodist Women’s Hospital is the second hospital in Nebraska to receive the IBCLC award.

“There are so many things associated with a new little baby,” said Ronni Draper, outreach manager at Methodist Women’s Hospital. “It can be a bit overwhelming, and then you begin the breastfeeding process. Our lactation consultants meet with every new mom and make sure this is one area where mom and baby are both feeling comfortable. We want them to be at ease when they are with us, but more importantly when they go home. If not, we are always available. Our services don’t end once you leave the hospital.”

The Methodist Women’s Hospital campus is a breastfeeding-friendly location that promotes the benefits of breastfeeding for mother and baby. Methodist’s 14 certified lactation consultants offer inpatient and outpatient lactation support by phone, by email or via one-on-one meetings. Support groups are also available, as well as information for breastfeeding moms returning to work.

“Facilities that are awarded the IBCLC Care Award have dedicated their efforts to promote and provide a lactation program that makes expert assistance available when the breastfeeding family needs it,” said Roberto Issler, IBCLC chair of the board of IBLCE. “This is achieved through encouraging and informing breastfeeding families about the benefits and management of breastfeeding as well as training health care professionals to assist families achieve their breastfeeding goals.”

IBCLCs focus on preventive care, so they are available during pregnancy to assess and provide information on how to successfully initiate breastfeeding. They continue that assistance after the baby is born by helping families overcome breastfeeding challenges, providing accurate information and supporting them as their baby grows. They assist families returning to work or school and families facing unusual situations such as breastfeeding more than one baby or nursing a sick or premature infant. They also help train nursing staff to manage basic breastfeeding care.

“IBCLCs work tirelessly in all corners of the globe to help parents provide optimal nutrition to their children,” said Mudiwah A. Kadeshe, president of ILCA. “We are proud to recognize some of these IBCLCs through the IBCLC Care Award, which highlights the significant contributions of IBCLCs to improving global health outcomes at the local level.”

As allied health care professionals with the leading internationally recognized certification for professional lactation services, IBCLC professionals work in hospitals, birthing centers, clinics, public health agencies, private practice, community settings and government agencies. There are currently more than 31,000 such professionals in 110 countries (www.iblce.org). The IBCLC certification program is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), which represents a mark of quality for certification programs.