2008 Woodie Awards
ILCA Conference Reviewed: The Benefits of Nursing
Yaelle Frohlich
Issue date: 8/24/08 Section: Science and Health
This year's annual International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA) conference drew over 750 lactation professionals to Las Vegas from July 23 to 27. Featuring over sixty lectures about the clinical practice of lactation consulting and breastfeeding advocacy as well as the societal, economic, and political implications of breastfeeding, the conference was an opportunity for participants to improve their skills, network, and peruse dozens of booths displaying everything from breast pumps, books, and milk supply-boosting medications to innovative baby slings and t-shirts reading "Real Men go to Breastfeeding Conferences."
According to their official website, International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) are "health care professionals who specialize in the clinical management of breastfeeding and have demonstrated their competence to practice by passing an internationally recognized criterion-reference examination." Lactation consultants have their background in a variety of fields, including (but not limited to) nursing, medicine, psychology, speech pathology, occupational therapy and physiotherapy-some even got their start as La Leche League Leaders-and those attending the conference hailed from countries such as Australia, Canada, Ireland, Israel, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom, in addition to the United States.
Chele Marmet, a Los Angeles expert on special circumstance breastfeeding, helped found the lactation consulting profession by designing its first training and degree programs, and is proud of her contribution. "I know I could die tomorrow," she said in an interview, "and mothers and babies worldwide would benefit from the work that I've been permitted to do."
The passion and sense of purpose among conference participants was palpable, and it's no wonder; breastfeeding increases babies' IQ and dramatically reduces the incidence of infections of the respiratory system, ear and gastro-intestinal tract, as well as autoimmune disease such as allergies and asthma. Breastfed babies are also less prone to early onset type I diabetes, obesity and other medical conditions. Women who breastfeed significantly reduce their risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, osteoporosis and other illnesses.
According to their official website, International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) are "health care professionals who specialize in the clinical management of breastfeeding and have demonstrated their competence to practice by passing an internationally recognized criterion-reference examination." Lactation consultants have their background in a variety of fields, including (but not limited to) nursing, medicine, psychology, speech pathology, occupational therapy and physiotherapy-some even got their start as La Leche League Leaders-and those attending the conference hailed from countries such as Australia, Canada, Ireland, Israel, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom, in addition to the United States.
Chele Marmet, a Los Angeles expert on special circumstance breastfeeding, helped found the lactation consulting profession by designing its first training and degree programs, and is proud of her contribution. "I know I could die tomorrow," she said in an interview, "and mothers and babies worldwide would benefit from the work that I've been permitted to do."
The passion and sense of purpose among conference participants was palpable, and it's no wonder; breastfeeding increases babies' IQ and dramatically reduces the incidence of infections of the respiratory system, ear and gastro-intestinal tract, as well as autoimmune disease such as allergies and asthma. Breastfed babies are also less prone to early onset type I diabetes, obesity and other medical conditions. Women who breastfeed significantly reduce their risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, osteoporosis and other illnesses.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 4
Isabella
posted 9/03/08 @ 12:30 PM EST
Yaelle,I found your article on ILCA Conference informative and useful. Thank you. I'd like to make a slight correction. You stated in the article that:"Breastfed babies are also less prone to early onset TypeI diabetes". (Continued…)
Naomi Bar-Yam
naomi Bar-Yam
posted 10/05/08 @ 10:16 PM EST
Thank you for an informative article on a topic not often covered. Something to think about: Breastfeeding is the norm, the way babies are meant to be fed. (Continued…)
Isabella
posted 10/06/08 @ 9:21 AM EST
Naomi,
let's get one thing crystal clear-Type1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease/has to do with pancreatic inability to produce insulin and will occur no matter which way the baby is fed - breast or bottle(just fyi). (Continued…)
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