Maternal Child Health: Lactation Consulting

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Program Overview
The Bachelor of Science in Maternal Child Health/Lactation Consulting provides an evidence-based program for the lactation professional.  Graduates of the program have a strong foundation of research, evidence and skills and will be qualified to professionally counsel expectant mothers and mothers of young infants about best practices for the care and feeding of the young infant and may also be qualified to provide instruction for and/or make presentations to the medical profession (especially in a hospital setting), as well as community, governmental, and non-profit agencies. This program is designed for both experienced lactation professions and those who are new to the field. 

This major is offered through a learning partnership with “Healthy Children.”  Through The Center for Breastfeeding, Healthy Children is the largest national provider of lactation management education for health-care providers.  Members of the Healthy Children faculty are leaders in the field who are recognized for their evidence-based scholarship as well as their clinical experience. Faculty serve in leadership positions in maternal and child health coalitions on the regional and national level. In addition, Healthy Children is a founding member of the United States Breastfeeding Committee (USBC), and an invited member of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Breastfeeding Promotion Consortium.

Completion of the degree program requires that students complete five specified courses offered through the Healthy Children Project. The Healthy Children CLC course and the Advanced Issues in Lactation Consulting courses both have been designated as Nursing Skills Competencies through the American Nurses Credentialing Center. The certifications include Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC), Advanced Lactation Consultant (ALC) and Advanced Nurse Lactation Consultant (ANLC).

Program Brochure

Major Field of Study Outcomes

• Explain and apply the major terms, methods, concepts and/or theories relevant to Maternal Child Health: Lactation Consulting.
• Identify, analyze and evaluate scientific research findings related to the methods, concepts, theories and practice of maternal child health and lactation consulting.
• Apply the principles of bio-medical ethics, lactation science and related disciplines in the provision of breastfeeding counseling and adult education services.
• Apply critical thinking and problem solving methods to correctly identify and assess for contributing factors and causes of breastfeeding management problems.
• Develop and describe an appropriate individualized and client centered plan, assist in the implementation of the plan, evaluate the effectiveness of the plan, and appropriately document client interactions.
• Communicate with clients and members of the health care team in a professional, integrated, interdisciplinary and culturally competent manner.