NZLCA: About Us

ABOUT US

About NZLCA
Aims & Objectives
About Lactation Consultants
     Why Lactation Consultants?
     What Do Lactation Consultants Do?
     Where Do Lactation Consultants Work?
     Is Referral Needed?
NZLCA Executive Members
     Role of the Executive
     Role of the 'Issues' Editor

ABOUT NZLCA

The New Zealand Lactation Consultants Association (NZLCA) is the professional association of the International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) in New Zealand, and is affiliated to the International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA).

NZLCA members have all passed a fully accredited examination set by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE), which is a member of the prestigious US National Commission for Health Certifying Agencies. The International Board includes representatives from the American Association of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Nurses Association of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (NACOG). NZLCA members are International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC).They submit to periodic re-certification procedures mandated by the International Board.

NZLCA presently provides professional seminars on many aspects of lactation and offers opportunities for interested health professional and lay counsellors to meet informally to discuss clinical cases and other matters of mutual concern.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To provide mutual support and education for New Zealand Lactation Consultants.
To foster an awareness in health professionals of human milk feeding as an important preventative health measure, and to provide continuing professional education.
To create an awareness in the community of the importance of human milk and breastfeeding; and the hazards of breastmilk substitutes.
To provide a forum for discussion and regular communication between Lactation Consultants.
To provide written and audio-visual materials on issues of concern to Lactation Consultants and to professional and lay counsellors.
To evaluate existing programmes about lactation in universities, colleges and other relevant institutions and if deemed necessary to suggest changes.
To make representations to relevant authorities in issues of concern to Lactation Consultants and to serve as an Advisory Body for such authorities.
To liaise with manufacturers/providers of goods and services used by breastfeeding women and to evaluate such goods and services.
To maintain a directory of appropriate certified Lactation Consultants and human milk banks in New Zealand.
To co-operate with other organisations within New Zealand and overseas having aims and objectives in whole or in part similar to those of NZLCA.
To encourage, stimulate, establish funds for and aid research and investigation into all aspects of lactation and infant feeding.
To support the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes, interpreted by the World Health Organisation and the World Health Assembly

About Lactation Consultants

Why Lactation Consultants?

International Board Certificated Lactation Consultants know that breastfeeding matters to women and their babies. Almost all New Zealand women attempt to breastfeed, but most wean earlier that they would wish, due to problems that are avoidable or manageable. Lactation Consultants hope to improve the care given to women and to encourage a social environment, which effectively supports breastfeeding.

What Do Lactation Consultants Do?

International Board Certificated Lactation Consultants offer support and specialist assistance to mothers and seek to strengthen and support all others concerned with the care of postpartum women.

Where Do Lactation Consultants Work?

Some Lactation Consultants work as:

Clinical specialists
Childbirth and parent educators
Maternal and child health nurses
Midwives
Well Child Providers
Members of a specialist or consultant team
Researchers, teachers and writers.
Private Practice

Is Referral Needed?

Women may self refer or be referred by:

Other women
Midwives
Practice Nurses
La Leche League
General practitioners
Obstetricians
Dietitians
Social Workers
Well Child Providers

Standards of Practice

NZLCA recognizes the certification awarded by the International Board of Lactation Consultants Examiners (IBLCE) as the professional credential for Lactation Consultants. All individuals representing themselves as Lactation Consultants, whether or not they are International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC), should adhere to these standards of practice in any and all interactions with their clients and families. The IBLCE also provides a Code of Ethics to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public.

International Lactation Consultants Website

ILCA Standards of Practice

IBLCE Code of Ethics

NZLCA Executive Members

Annette Anderson - President

Karen Palmer - Vice President

Jennifer Cox - Secretary

Susan Cluitt - Treasurer

Bev Pownall - Issues Editor (Non-Voting Member)

Role of the Executive

The role of the executive is to administer the national affairs and business of the association on behalf of the members. This is governed by the constitution of the association.

Role of “Issues” Editor

To produce the “Issues” publication and distribute to NZLCA members subscribers.