“If a multinational company developed a product that was a nutritionally balanced and delicious food, a wonder drug that both prevented and treated disease, cost almost nothing to produce and could be delivered in quantities controlled by the consumers’ needs, the very announcement of their find would send their shares rocketing to the top of the stock market. The scientists who developed the product would win prizes and the wealth and influence of everyone involved would increase dramatically. Women have been producing such a miraculous substance, breast milk, since the beginning of human existence.” (Gabrielle Palmer, 2009)The U.S. government reported in 2007 that, for babies, breastfeeding has been associated with a reduced risk of gastrointestinal issues, ear infections, severe lower respiratory tract infections, childhood asthma, childhood obesity, type 1 and 2 diabetes, SIDS, and NEC. For the breastfeeding mother, the act of nursing can result in reduced risks of ovarian cancer, breast cancer, and type 2 diabetes. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health (OWH), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) are three of the organizations leading the way in the campaign to raise awareness about the importance of breastfeeding. As these advocacy groups take the charge in communicating the benefits of breastfeeding for mothers and babies, there continues to be a need for more localized, grass roots community expertise and continuity of care that protects and supports these breastfeeding efforts. A key part of these support efforts, is the need to educate a cadre of professionals with the specialized skills required for the sensitive and multidimensional nature of the job of lactation counselor.
Many of the lactation counselors I have met recently, hold certifications in the field but have not completed a bachelors program. Some cite that they do not have the time to pursue a higher degree or simply cannot find a program that matches their career goals. At this time, there are only five schools in the U.S. that offer degrees related to lactation counseling. Union Institute & University (UIU), accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, is the only program in Maternal Child Health in the state of Florida. Union has a rich history in providing flexible and relevant programs for the adult who wishes to return to school and finally complete their BS degree. Recognizing the demands of work and family, Union offers courses through a hybrid delivery and within an eight week accelerated timeline. We also accept ninety credits in transfer and no transcript from an accredited institution is considered to be too dated. Students who enter our degree program already certified as International Board Certified Lactation Consultants are awarded credits for their IBCLC upon matriculation.
Our program is unique in that it is offered through a partnership with the Healthy Children Project, a research and education institute that is dedicated to improving child health outcomes. Through their Center for Breastfeeding, HCP is the largest national provider of lactation management education for health-care providers. Our MCH faculty is made up of internationally recognized experts in their field.
The Bachelor of Science in Maternal Child Health: Lactation Consulting is designed for both experienced lactation professionals and those new to the field. In addition to our core MCH curriculum, many of our general education courses have been developed to embed competencies that impact the field. Our students enter this interdisciplinary field with varied backgrounds, interests, and experience. Our graduates leave this program with a strong foundation of research, evidence, and skills that qualify them to professionally counsel expectant mothers and mothers of infants about the best practices for the care and feeding of their babies.
For those who already hold a Bachelor’s degree, we also offer a Master of Arts in Health and Wellness: Lactation Studies.
