Breastfeeding Information and Resources for Health Care Providers
By providing the Breastfeeding Support booklet to your moms or moms-to-be, your work is simpler and patients are healthier. If you would like print versions of these materials please fill out this form.
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Healthcare Providers
Droplets of Knowledge
Connecting Clinicians with Up-to-Date Breastfeeding Data and Best Practices
We hope this article and intro give you facts that will have a place in your work.
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MAY DROPLET
Breastfeeding and the microbiome: a brief look at an article from Cell.
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Specifically for HCPs:
Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine: Protocols for practices can be found here, ready to print.
Supportive of Breastfeeding and want ideas on how to incorporate that into your practice? The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine has this document.
LLLI.org - A-Z Breastfeeding info. Webinars and other continuing education is also available for HCPs through LLL. Refer your expectant mothers and breastfeeding mothers to LLL meetings near you or virtual ones. Meetings are led by trained volunteers and are free.
WHO Growth Charts:
WHO growth charts are recommended for breastfed babies. If you use an electronic charting program, you might consider making sure to select the WHO growth chart for your breastfed patients. More info is here.
Infant Risk/Lactational Pharmacology: InfantRisk Center for HCPs (app for your phone to look up compatibility of drugs and breastfeeding). Very easy to use and highly recommended. Desktop Ref Guide is “Medications and Mother’s Milk” by Dr. Thomas Hale. If a drug is not listed you can call the center - right now they are “Chat” only.
Institute for Advancement of Breastfeeding and Lactation Education (IABLE): Breastfeeding Handouts and other breastfeeding information/training for HCPs (they sell a Breastfeeding Training Book for Dr.s) .
U.S. Breastfeeding Committee (USBC): Past webinars and conferences available after creating a login. Also has links to other organizations.
International Breastfeeding Centre: Run by Dr. Jack Newman who specializes in breastfeeding related issues. Handouts, videos, and training are available.
Parent-friendly info.
LLL in Idaho - this site you are on, please see the Resources section.
LLLI.org - A-Z breastfeeding info.
Kellymom.com - Breastfeeding help/articles/info. written by an IBCLC.
Experts/Sources for more info:
Dr. Niels Bergman - Kangaroo Care
Dr. James McKenna - Breastsleeping/Co-sleeping
Dr. Helen Ball - Infant Sleep
Dr. Jack Newman - Breastfeeding
Dr. Darcia Narvaez - Psychology and breastfeeding/nighttime parenting/issues of sleep training
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La Leche League (Free breastfeeding support from LLLI accredited volunteers):
Refer pregnant mamas and any nursing mamas to LLL meetings. La Leche League offers breastfeeding education, information, and support. LLL meetings are breastfeeding support groups run by trained volunteers, for over 65 years. Mothers are also welcome to contact LLL Leaders directly or through FB between meetings for one-on-one help. Meetings are free and are for all nursing and expectant mothers. Some meetings are offered virtually so moms from any part of the state can join.
Meetings are available in the Palouse (Moscow area): on FB as La Leche League of the Palouse, Idaho Falls: idahofallslll@gmail.com; Twin Falls: llloftwinfalls@gmail.com, Treasure Valley (Boise area) on FB as La Leche League of Treasure Valley, Idaho, and perhaps others. Current locations can be found here.
La Leche League Idaho Leader-at-large: Dena Duran: lll.denaduran@gmail.com 646.763 0872. Dena will help any mom and baby in the state of Idaho. Feel free to share her contact info with mothers who don’t have support near them or who need extra support.
Virtual Breastfeeding support: LLL Zoom meetings that any mom may join, see the Meetings tab for updated meetings and leader information.
Idaho Breastfeeding Coalition: Resource Page & Full Site. Great breastfeeding resources, including LLL, WIC, Hospital groups, private practices, and more organized regionally, by Idaho health district. Informative federal links as well.
Find an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC): IBCLCs that are members of IBCLE have passed the IBCLE board exam and received specific required training. They are trained to work as part of the healthcare team and can exchange clinical notes with HCPs (with patient’s permission). They often have experience with challenging breastfeeding cases and some specialize in specific areas, e.g. twins, mechanical feeding difficulties (cleft palate, Down’s syndrome, ankyloglossia), gastro- or allergy related issues (guiding mom’s diet, helping choose appropriate formulas when mixed feeding is necessary, etc.), and some offer supportive therapies as well (OT, CST, infant massage).
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Hospital Lactation Consultants:
St. Alphonsus and St. Luke’s both have IBCLCs on staff. If you work in their networks you may be able to access their expertise. Your patients who birth in their hospitals have access to the IBCLC while they are there and to ongoing breastfeeding support groups run by the hospital IBCLCs.
IBCLC accepting insurance (outside the hospital system): through Treasure Valley Midwives
La Leche League Treasure Valley (Boise area) on FB as La Leche League of Treasure Valley, Idaho, meetings information and contact info for leaders posted there.
Private Practice IBCLC s
IBCLCs in the Valley can be found here.
WIC: For your patients who qualify, WIC offers breastfeeding support.
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IBCLCs throughout the world can be found here.
La Leche League Leaders and Meetings
State Health Departments (for local WIC info., etc.)
State Breastfeeding Coalition
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Baby’s weight after birth – when to weigh, what to count
If mom had IV fluids during birth, use baby’s weight 24-36 hours after birth as the starting birth weight for any weight gain or loss calculations. Research article below from the International Breastfeeding Journal.
Kangaroo Care
Here is a great info graphic from the Provincial Health Authority of British Columbia on Kangaroo Care. A patient pamphlet is also available for your patients in English and Farsi as well.