Certified Breastfeeding Counselor

Certified Breastfeeding Counselor

A breastfeeding counselor is a health care professional who has completed training and passed an exam, demonstrating the skills required to provide safe, evidence – based counseling for pregnant, lactating and breastfeeding women. These breastfeeding counselors provide guidance, education, and support to mothers during the breastfeeding process. They can help with a variety of topics, including the benefits of breastfeeding, overcoming common barriers, and how to achieve a successful breastfeeding experience. 


  • Serves as a consultant and advocate for expectant and new mothers choosing to breastfeed their infants. 
  • Provides expectant parents and mothers with knowledge regarding the benefits of breastfeeding, and the fundamental aspects of it as well. 
  • Works one-on-one with new mothers for an hour-long appointment, allowing for adequate time to address all breastfeeding concerns/worries. 
  • Observes and monitors proper technique of latching/detaching on each breast for maximum comfort to mother while breastfeeding. 
  • Monitor and discuss proper suck/swallow coordination of newborn during feeding. 
  • Provide encouragement and offer nipple shield support for those mothers who may have difficulties with breastfeeding due to inverted or problematic nipple shape/size. 
  • Discuss different hospital grade breast pumps and review appropriate size and settings based on maternal breast size, insurance, comfort, convenience and efficiency. 
  • Review frequency and length of breastfeeding schedule based on gestational age, adequate weight gain and efficient suck/swallow. 
Replace Me

In the end, Certified Breastfeeding Counselors want to make sure that breastfeeding is successful and meets the mother’s goals for successful breastfeeding. 

 

  • The role of the healthcare professional 
  • Anatomy and physiology of the breast 
  • Latch on and suck assessment 
  • Guidelines for the first week 
  • Nutritional needs of the nursing dyad 
  • Management of common problems 
  • Special needs such as prematurity, late preterm, multiples, cleft lip/palate, neurological problems, re-lactation 
  • Medications 
  • Lactation aids 
  • Supporting and empowering women and their infants 

Susan Baker, CPNP, CBC

Susan is a passionate and experienced Certified Breastfeeding Counselor (CBC) with over 6 years of helping new mothers succeed on their breastfeeding journeys through counseling, education, clinical management and support. She is dedicated to promoting awareness about the importance of breastfeeding and committed to providing the necessary education and resources to reach their breastfeeding goals. Susan is skilled in providing compassionate care and practical guidance, with a focus on maternal and child health initiatives. 

Helping all Moms!

Breastfeeding Moms are not required to be active patients of the clinic.

What Parents Can Expect to Discuss at Their Appointment

 

  1. What are their goals for breastfeeding? 
  2. What issues or difficulties are they having with breastfeeding? 
  3. Latching issues 
  4. Pain with nursing 
  5. Decreased breastmilk supply 
  6. Engorgement (too much milk supply) 
  7. Breast infection (mastitis) 
  8. Concerns with baby’s weight (weight loss or not gaining weight) 
  9. Brief health history intake and discussion of birth experience for both mother and infant