LACTATION CONSULTANTS

(L) Cindy Galloway, RD, LD, IBCLC and (R) Laurie Valdes, CA, CLC, CLE, IBCLC

To Contact: Please call 208-327-7488 and press prompt #1. Enter Ext. 8569 to speak to Laurie Valdes (Español).

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PEER COUNSELORS

Central District Health WIC program is pleased to provide an evidenced based Peer Counseling program to assist in breastfeeding promotion and support. A WIC breastfeeding peer counselor is a mother in the community with personal breastfeeding experience who is trained to give information and supportto new moms. She will help give mothers basic breastfeeding information, counseling, support, and help them meet breastfeeding goals, including:

• Basic information about breastfeeding.
• Ideas on how your family and friends can support you.
• Ways to get a good start on breastfeeding.
• Tips for a healthy supply of breast milk for your baby.
• Support when you have breastfeeding concerns.
• Tips on how to breastfeed comfortably and discreetly, even in public.
• Advice to help you stick with breastfeeding after you return to work or school.

Peer Counselors have been selected by WIC to help give new mothers basic breastfeeding information, counseling, and support and to help new mothers meet the goal of breastfeeding their babies.

• Reasons to breastfeed
• How to address common barriers, including returning to work, and lack of support from family & friends
• Getting a good start with breastfeeding
• Maintaining a healthy milk supply
• Preventing common problems such as sore nipples and engorgement
• Strategies for getting through the first weeks home with baby

WIC Peer Counselors will contact mothers regularly during the pregnancy and during the early days and weeks of breastfeeding. Peer Counselors also assist with prenatal breastfeeding classes and are available to new mothers outside the usual working schedule who are having breastfeeding questions.

Peer Counselors refer mothers to appropriate lactation experts or healthcare professionals if the mother’s concerns are outside the peer counselor’s scope of practice.

Intérprete gratuito | مترجم مجاني | Mukalimani wa bure | Nishulka Dobhasey