Women Owned Lactation Consultant Business Celebrates IBCLC Day
Woman Owned Lactation Business brings support to babies and moms in western suburbs during Lactation Care Appreciation week.
Sarah Paddock
There were over 133,000 new babies born in Illinois in 2020. For most parents, the challenges that come along with new babies are daunting. Between sleep deprivation, numerous resources online (which can be conflicting) and lack of an instruction manual; it can be a struggle to find resources that provide the much needed help and support most parents need during the first few weeks of bringing home their new baby. Add a global pandemic into the mix and the need for certified support escalates quickly. This is why 2 certified lactation consultants, Amber Barnes RN, BSN, RNC-NIC, IBCLC and Anne Albi M.S., CCC-SLP, IBCLC, decided to open up Lactation Care Connection earlier this year; a lactation consulting business committed to helping new parents navigate newborn feeding challenges throughout the Chicago area.
Lactation consultants are professionals who specialize in breastfeeding. The highest accreditation for Lactation Consultants is an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant), which requires participation in extensive education, hands-on clinical practice and acceptance to sit for and then pass the board accreditation exam.
"Both Amber and I were moms who struggled with feeding our babies. Through our struggles, we developed a passion for helping moms in our NICU careers and realized how important it is to have that support and assistance outside of the hospital," says Anne Albi, co-owner of Lactation Care Connection.
Amber Barnes started her nursing career in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in 2006, which inspired her to become an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant in 2015. She has been practicing as an RN and IBCLC in the NICU, Family Care/Postpartum unit and outpatient clinic settings ever since.
Anne Albi graduated from Rush University with a masters in Speech Language Pathology in 2008 and has been working in the hospital setting since that time. In 2009 she began her career in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit working with premature and medically fragile infants with dysphagia and feeding difficulties. After 5 years as a Certified Lactation Specialist, Anne became an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant.
Navigating breastfeeding during those first few days in the hospital can be confusing while you're sleep deprived and recovering from labor and delivery. You may only see a lactation consultant in the hospital once or twice, if you're lucky. By the time you get home with the baby, you realize you have a lot of questions. How do I know if the baby is eating enough? Am I producing milk? How much is enough? Without a support system in place it can be difficult to get these answers.
"Most of the time moms leave the hospital before their milk has even come in and encounter their breastfeeding challenges once they are home. The more support a mom can get, whether you're a new or experienced mom, the better!" says Amber Barnes, co-owner of Lactation Care Connection. "A mom's biggest struggle in the early days is often how to feed her newborn. We are taught to think that breastfeeding is so natural and that it should just come easily but IT DOESN'T!"
For many with a newborn baby the lack of sleep and time can make it difficult to find support that is easily accessible. Lactation Care Connection understands this and has flexible options for parents that includes all of the specialized support they need.
"We offer in-home and virtual consults. Our consults also include thorough follow-up communication to make sure the plan we developed is working and make any necessary changes based on feedback from the family."
If you aren't able to breastfeed, LCC offers support in other ways. "Pumping is still breastfeeding and many moms can use the support, education and guidance with establishing a pumping plan that works best for them and their babies. As NICU care professionals, we have extensive experience working with pumping moms. Anne also exclusively pumped with her first baby who was a NICU graduate,"says Amber.
Developing a pumping plan can also be helpful when parents return to work, to ensure that they can keep up with the needs of their growing baby.
In support of IBCLC Day on March 2, 2022, Lactation Care Connection is offering 20% off their services for all consults booked in March. Virtual and in-home consultations are available as well as gift cards.