Description
A lactation consultant is a health professional who specialises in helping women to breastfeed their babies.
Some health professionals such as midwives, neonatal nurses, paediatric nurses and maternal and child health nurses may also train to provide lactation consultant services.
Services provided
- Advice about positioning, attachment and comfort of the baby at the breast.
- Management of damaged, painful nipples and breast discomfort.
- Assessment and management of milk supply.
- Support and advice for mothers with:
- babies with cleft lip or cleft palate
- babies with tongue-tie
- multiple babies (twins or more)
- mastitis
- breast and nipple thrush
- any other breastfeeding concerns.
Eligibility
Appointments may be made directly without a doctor's referral.
Your doctor or other health professional may also refer you to a breastfeeding clinic.
How to access
To find a lactation consultant:
- Talk to your GP (doctor).
- Talk to your maternal and child health nurse – your Maternal and Child Health Service may offer a local drop-in or appointment-based clinic.
- Contact the breastfeeding service offered by the hospital at which you gave birth.
- Use the Lactation Consultants of Australia and New Zealand (LCANZ) ‘Find a lactation service.
- Use the International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA) ‘Find a lactation service.
- Call the Australian Breastfeeding Association’s Breastfeeding Tel. 1800 686 268.
Costs
Lactation consultant fees are not covered by Medicare unless your lactation consultant is also an eligible registered midwife with a Medicare provider number.
Lactation consultant fees are covered by some private health funds, but the amount will depend on your insurance policy. Contact your insurer for more information.
Profile
Sector
Conventional healthcareRegulation
UnregulatedRegistration
Lactation consultants are not required to be registered with a government medical authority.Minimum qualifications
Not all lactation consultants have qualifications. An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) has completed the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBCLE) certification exam, and has met minimum requirements set by the IBCLE in the areas of health science education, human lactation and breastfeeding education, and clinical experience in caring for breastfeeding women. You can check the IBLCE website to confirm if a lactation consultant has IBCLC certification.Complaints about health services
- Health Complaints , Complaints and Information, call 1300 582 113
- Better Health Channel - Complaints about health services