A fifteen session, customized, comprehensive, basic education program for health care providers to assist breastfeeding families is now available from Lactation Consultant Services™.
        The Breastfeeding Educator Program™ is usually presented in three (long) days and addresses normal circumstance breastfeeding and challenges commonly experienced in a chronologic format beginning in the prenatal period until weaning. Assisting employed breastfeeding mothers and mothers with critically ill infants is also included. Promoting breastfeeding among socioeconomically disadvantaged and facilitating change in clinical settings are also addressed. Evidence-based, practical, clinical management strategies and discussion of the professional literature as rationale for practice are emphasized throughout the program.
        High risk "flags" are identified in various phases of lactation to assist health care providers prioritize their care of families who may need additional assistance and support. The breastfeeding promotion and assistance team is encouraged to help families meet their breastfeeding goals based on informed decisions. "Baby Friendly" Initiative criterion are incorporated in the sessions. The American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendations for breastfeeding management are also emphasized.
        The program was initially developed in 1987 by Debi Bocar, RN and Linda Shrago, RN for hospital based nurses and has been modified to address issues encountered in home health, follow-up services, physician offices, health department and WIC settings. See Program Agenda  for additional information.
        An optional certification process (Certified Breastfeeding Educator™) is conferred by Lactation Consultant Services™ and is available for participants who incorporate breastfeeding assistance with other perinatal health care. Certified Breastfeeding Educators™ are not qualified to function as lactation consultants.
        Many breastfeeding educators continue their education and become lactation consultants. (The continuing education credits earned by participating in the Breastfeeding Educator Program™ can be applied towards requirements to become a lactation consultant.) However, the goal of the Breastfeeding Educator Program™ is to prepare breastfeeding educators who are well positioned in the health care team to assist many families and communicate the normalcy of breastfeeding as they integrate breastfeeding promotion and assistance with other perinatal health services they provide.
        Certification as a breastfeeding educator provides an added credential, validating special knowledge and skills for employers, professional colleagues, and consumers. It communicates that a health care provider has completed a comprehensive course and is prepared to assist breastfeeding families with normal lactation and common breastfeeding challenges.
        Certification as a breastfeeding educator requires attendance at the fifteen session Breastfeeding Educator Program™, completion of clinical role play demonstrations with oral discussions of the management of common breastfeeding challenges, and completion of a 50 item multiple-choice examination. Certification is conferred by Lactation Consultant Services™ and is in effect for five years. There is an additional certification fee of $25. An optional Certified Breastfeeding Educator™ pin is available for $5. A one-day research update conference with optional recertification is available at least annually through Lactation Consultant Services™. See Certification of Breastfeeding Educators  for additional information.
        The program is presented by Debi Bocar, RN, MS(N), PhD, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. Dr. Bocar has presented the program more than 70 times and has been revising the program for sixteen years. She uses more than 3000 clinical and narrative slides, as well as video tape segments and demonstrations to illustrate the concepts in the program. Participants divide into pairs and use a Skills Equipment Kit (includes a Lactessa doll, breast model, breast shells, supplemental nursing devices, manual breast pumps, etc.) to practice procedures throughout the workshop related to positioning, latch-on, supplementation, breastmilk expression, and other assistance techniques.
        Dr. Bocar has presented at numerous national meetings (ILCA, AWHONN, LLLI Physicians' Seminar, LLLI, etc.) and has published parent education materials as well as contributed to the professional literature. See About the Presenter  for additional information. She helped establish the Breastfeeding Resource Center and is currently a perinatal educator at Mercy Health Center in Oklahoma City.
        Sponsoring agencies determine the participant fees for the program (usually ranging from $275 to $375.) The program has been approved through the Missouri Nurses Association (MONA) for up to 30 CEUs (MONA is an American Nurses Credential Center Commission on Accreditation approved provider) and up to 30 L-CERPs by IBLCE. Participants receive a certificate of attendance upon completion of the program. See CEUs & Program Policies for additional information.
        The Breastfeeding Educator Program™ is presented in a variety of locations. See Up-coming Programs  for specific locations and dates. Contact other agencies directly to be placed on a specific mailing list.
        If your agency is interested in sponsoring the Breastfeeding Educator Program™, please contact us for additional information. Summaries of usual agency expenses and a division of responsibilities between the sponsoring agency and Lactation Consultant Services™ are available.
For additional information contact:

     Debi Leslie Bocar, RN, PhD, IBCLC
     Director, Lactation Consultant Services™
     11320 Shady Glen Road
     Oklahoma City, OK 73162
     405-722-2163