Private Practice Lactation Consultant Business Plan
Stephanie Roberts * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Executive summary
Breastfeeding is not only a lifestyle choice but also an important health care choice. Any amount of time that a mother can do it will help both her and the baby. Many benefits of breast milk are noted for mothers, babies, and others. Breast milk has disease-fighting cells called antibodies that help protect infants from germs, illness, and even SIDS. Infant formula cannot match the perfect chemical composition of human milk, specifically the cells, hormones, and antibodies that fight disease. The private practice of lactation consultants has increased over the last decade. According to the CDC (2006), the rates of breastfeeding have slightly increased. Healthy People objectives for breastfeeding in early postpartum period, at six months, and 12 months are 75%, 50%, and 25%, respectively. Healthy People 2010 objectives for exclusive breastfeeding through three and six months of age are 40% and 17%, respectively. National data on exclusive breastfeeding are available only from respondents interviewed after 2005 and thus are not available for children born prior to 2003. The Private Practice of Lactation Consultants (PPLC) will provide care and assistance to any mother who is breastfeeding regardless of financial ability to pay. The need for lactation consultants outside of the hospital settings are need for the long-term care of mothers who choose to breastfeed for longer than the initial newborn period. Problems with breastfeeding tend to appear as the child grows and milk production changes. Many mothers will stop breastfeeding when problems arise because they do not have a specific health care professional to turn to for assistance. Pediatricians need to support mothers during breastfeeding by collaborating with independent lactation consultants
References: American Academy of Pediatrics (2005): PEDIATRICS. 115(2), pp. 496-506. Center for Disease Control. (2006). Breastfeeding . Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/data/NIS_data/index.htm Department of Health and Human Services. (2009). The office on women 's health quick health data online. Retrieved from http://www.healthstatus2010.com/owh/index.html International Lactation Consultant Association. (2006). Standard of practice for International Board of Certified Lactation Consulants. Retrieved from http://www.ilca.org/files/resources/Standards-of-Practice-web.pdf Smith, L.J. (2003). The lactation consultant in private practice (3rd ed.). Sudbury, Massachusetts: Jones and Bartlett Publisher.