Support worker celebrates infant feeding qualification | News

An infant feeding support worker at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust has become the trust’s first support worker to pass an exam to become a lactation consultant.

How babies are fed has a lasting impact for mothers, babies and families.

UK guidance recommends exclusive breastfeeding for around the first six months of life and continued breastfeeding alongside solid foods into the second year of life or beyond.

According to the Infant feeding survey in England 2024, of all mothers who started breastfeeding, 68% continued to breastfeed for at least 6 months.

According to the survey, almost half of mothers who would have liked to breastfeed for longer said if their baby had latched on more easily it would have helped them to do so.

Mothers also thought more support from healthcare professionals could have helped them to continue breastfeeding.

Infant Feeding Support Worker, Florence Cheung Chan – who has a passion for supporting families with infant feeding – has spent the last 18 months completing the intensive training to prepare for the International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) examination.

IBCLC is the highest global qualification for breastfeeding and lactation care. To qualify, candidates must complete 95 hours of education and gain up to 1,000 hours of clinical practice, followed by an exam.

Certification is recognition that an individual has met eligibility requirements and has passed a rigorous exam that assesses knowledge in breastfeeding management.

Following Florence’s qualification, she can help speed up tongue-tie referrals for families, teach antenatal mothers to help promote breastfeeding, and train other trust staff to help them support babies and families.

Sally Sidhu, Infant feeding BFI Lead and IBCLC, said:

“We are delighted and so proud of Florence for her achievement and know this will make a huge difference to the care of postnatal families.

“In the UK we have some of the lowest breastfeeding rates in the world, with more than eight out of ten women stopping breastfeeding before they want to, and we’re hoping this will be a step towards changing that.”

Florence explained how passing the exam has advanced her skills and knowledge, saying:

“The training has advanced my skills, knowledge and confidence.  Along with my colleagues we can offer babies and families the support they need through their feeding journey.”

If you need infant feeding support contact your local health visitor or midwife who will put you in touch with your local co-ordinator.