Can you do this work alone?

Thoughts on professional growth for the lactation consultant

Time after time I hear from newer IBCLCs (and folks waiting on exam results) who are feeling that although they have acquired a lot of knowledge and spent hundreds of hours working with clients, they are waiting on that moment when they will feel confident and prepared to assist any client with any lactation situation. Some feel more qualified in certain areas and with certain types of lactation problems, while others feel like they know a little about most things, and still others feel best about their ability to counsel and educate parents while feeling unsure about their actual knowledge or clinical skills.

Many feel isolated and like they are working without a safety net because they just don’t have anyone with whom they can discuss cases on a professional level. While sometimes a clinical mentorship can lead to a strong relationship with mentors and others in the community, too often newer IBCLCs express that they aren’t able to connect with their mentoring team as easily now that their hours are complete. Sometimes, a lactation exam candidate completes a clinical mentorship and understands that they and their mentor are simply not aligned well. They are left with few connections to more experienced folks in the field.

This lack of confidence coupled with a lack of community can really hinder growth in the profession. People need feedback, insight, wisdom, practical tips, and even friendship to move forward.

It’s certainly true that a new IBCLC can simply begin consulting with clients and gain experience through their work, learning as they go and collecting their own insights from past clients. It’s definitely possible to improve one’s skills without a team or colleagues nearby, without professional relationships or interprofessional engagement.

But just like the new parents we serve in our work, it truly is easier and faster to grow when support is built into the environment. Lactation peer support groups have been shown over and over to improve the outcomes and experiences of breastfeeding and lactating parents.

Learn more about Evolve Lactation Community here

Similarly, peer support for lactation professionals makes the experience of this work better. With a team or community, it’s easier to broaden one’s worldview on everything from clinical issues to practical matters regarding being a lactation care provider. Learning from every consult becomes a real possibility when one can discuss a case with others who can help them assess and reshape their approach, their process, and their knowledge.

Just like we teach our lactation clients that there are always multiple ways to resolve a concern or problem, we need our peers to remind us how to stay nimble and keep options open. As we counsel our patients to remember that lactation has short- and long-term outcomes, we need to be part of a community which can bolster our spirits whenever it feels like the outcomes of our work are not visible or obvious through our lens.

There will always be too much work and not enough time, a busy schedule and not enough hours in the day, a reason or excuse not to participate in a community of your peers in the lactation profession. Dedicating time to being part of a community - both giving to and receiving support from others - is an investment in your future as a lactation professional. It will go a long way to helping you process and grow from your experiences, avoiding caregiver burnout, and maintaining your passion for the cause of improving the environment of lactation support for the next generations of new mothers and parents.

We often remind our lactation clients to take care of themselves so that they can care for their children, and we need to do the same for ourselves so that we can care for our clientele with compassion and integrity.