Milk Experts Needed: Lactation Consultants

This one might sound a little strange, but believe me when I say that it is necessary.

This one might work very well for you if you are a mom who already has children and you've breastfed. Lactation consultants are going to be in higher and higher demand especially now that the economy is in the shape it's in. It's not everyday that people can just go out and spend tons of money on formula so breastfeeding is a way to keep your costs down. However, breastfeeding isn't always easy for everybody--including the baby--so a Lactation consultant is the person who steps in and helps out--preferably before mom and baby even leave the hospital.

Ok, so you're having a baby and you're freaking out because kids are so expensive--they actually aren't THAT expensive, but anyways. Well, as many formula coupons as you get in the mail you will never get free food--except in breastfeeding. So, when you're at the hospital and they suggest that you breastfeed your baby it may not go well the first couple times. (We hope it goes great, but this is not always the case).

This is where lactation consultants come in. Many of them are Registered Nurses, but there are situations where it could be someone with some kind of medical training who simply can also help in this area. It could be a "lay midwife" or a certified midwife. It could be a Medical Assistant. The rules of the hospital and your state may vary so you need to check and see who's who--but they're out there.

Basically, the Lactation Consultant's job is to make it easy for Mom and baby to breastfeed before Mom gives up and starts formula feeding. If you're really against formula-feeding or you just want to save people money then this might be right up your alley.

Now, is it as easy as "Here's what you do--now go!" Nope, it's entirely possible that you might have people coming back multiple times to make sure they're getting it right. So, if you are a part-time midwife or part-time nurse this might be a good way to pick up hours at the hospital or you could expand your "lay midwife" or even professional midwife business and do some lactation consulting.

Remember, the hospital has these people on hand and they may need you because people are still having babies, but they may be short-staffed. The good thing about this job is that it's something you can do to help people that runs parallel to some other work you might be doing. You don't have to go too far afield from midwifery to be a lactation consultant--or vice versa.

You see, that wasn't so bad and it wasn't even awkward at all. Gentlemen, no you probably can't be a lactation consultant unless you are a Doctor--that's probably the only way people wouldn't think it wasn't weird. However, for the right woman this career may open the doors to a whole new life in labor and delivery that you may not have thought of--or it will expand your horizons in labor and delivery--which is what you wanted all along.