Seventeen members of staff at North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust have passed exams to be become lactation consultants.
The staff – who have a passion for supporting families with infant feeding – have spent the last 18 months completing the intensive training to prepare them to sit the International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) exam.
They all work in the Midwifery, Health Visiting and Children’s Nursing teams.
Those who attended the course were: Laura Rodgers, Beth Rengers, Ellen Dicicco, Andrea Harriman, Bernice Radcliffe, Sarah Hargreaves, Debbie de Vaal, Denise Lightfoot, Pamela Storey, Helen Mbaye, Lib Wyborn, Sarah Rushton, Karen Brown, Cat Pattinson, Alice Robson, Charlotte Wilkinson and Sian Whitaker.
Laura Rodgers, Infant Feeding Coordinator and IBCLC at NCIC, said: “We are absolutely delighted and so incredibly proud of our amazing staff and what they have achieved with the goal of improving care for families. We know that 80 per cent of mothers stop breastfeeding before they want to and we’re hoping that this will be a step towards changing that in Cumbria.
“Parents can ask to be referred to a feeding specialist in their area. Their midwife, health visitor or GP will be able to support them with this. We would encourage anyone experiencing feeding issues to seek support because help is out there.”
Bernice Radcliffe, Infant Feeding Coordinator for Maternity at NCIC, said: “The course was fantastic and so enriching, the exam was super hard but it was all so worth it!
“Lactation consultants are usually something only some people can access because in other areas they are private practitioners who charge for their services. Here at NCIC it doesn’t have to be like that for the families we care for and it means everyone can access specialist support should they need it.”
Andrea Harriman, Infant Feeding Lead, Specialist Midwife and Lactation Consultant, said: “Infant feeding has always been an area of which I was very passionate about and when the opportunity for further training was advertised to the staff through our trust I was so excited and feel so lucky to have had this opportunity.”
Andrea explained how passing the exam has helped to advance her skills and knowledge.
She said: “The 18 month training and exam has enabled me to advance my skills, knowledge and confidence to a level which I never thought was possible and with the Network of my colleagues we can offer the Mums and Babies of Cumbria the support which every breastfeeding mum deserves and is vital to support them through their breastfeeding journey.
“I am very excited for the future of breastfeeding in Cumbria.”
Funding for the course came from the Breastfeeding Continuation Fund from NHS England, which is provided to regions with the lowest breastfeeding rates.
If you need help contact your local health visitor or midwife who will put you in touch with your local co-ordinator.