Lactation Professional Articles

Certified Lactation Professionals (including CLSP, CLP and ACLP) commit to providing skilled lactation care with professional ethics and integrity.  All Begin Ed India Students and Graduates must adhere to BEI’s Professional Code of Conduct.

Certified Lactation Professional (including CLSP, CLP, and ACLP):

1. Supports the autonomy of the mother/ parent during lactation by:

1. Maintaining client confidentiality and privacy

2. Respecting the client’s right to make choices that are right for her situation

3. Assisting and supporting the mother/parent in identifying and meeting their goals for lactation

4. Utilizing shared decision-making principles while making the “Lactation Plan of Care”

2. Educates parents/ families by:

1. Educating and supporting parents/ families during pregnancy and the perinatal period (through weaning).

2. Teaching families during lactation in the classroom setting, in individual consultations, and in community support groups.

3. Supports parents/ families by:

1. Conducting an assessment of both mother/ parent and infant and devising a plan of care in uncomplicated breastfeeding situations.

2. Instructing and coaching mothers/parents in optimal feeding positions, latch, frequency, and duration of feedings, and parameters for infant output.

3. Assessing effective feeding and milk transfer in uncomplicated breastfeeding situations.

4. Providing anticipatory guidance

5. Problem-solving issues that do not commonly precede adverse outcomes

6. Instructing parents of preterm or late preterm infants in establishing and maintaining a human milk supply

7. Counseling employed breastfeeding mothers/parents regarding selection of a breast pump and maintaining milk supply and breastmilk storage.

8. Documenting the results of consultations in the appropriate client record

4. Refers and collaborates by:

1. Referring clients to local resources as needed.

2. Working collaboratively within the health care team and refers clients to the appropriate health care provider (other Lactation Professionals, IBCLCs, physicians, or other health practitioners) for assessment and treatment.

3. Working as part of a team to remove barriers for breastfeeding success.

5. Is an advocate for parents/ families by:

1. Advocating for human milk for human babies

2. Assisting in policy creation to support breastfeeding and chestfeeding families

3. Identifies and advocates for aspects of breastfeeding management programs that facilitate successful breastfeeding

4. Advocating for breastfeeding families within the health care system

5. Maintaining compliance with the WHO International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and the IMS Act (India)