Counseling Nursing Families: A Lactation Consultant's Guide

by Judith Lauwers, Lactation Education Accreditation and Approval Review Committee (LEAARC)

Overview

Written from a teaching perspective, Counseling Nursing Families: A Lactation Consultant's Guide, Eighth Edition presents practical suggestions and evidence-based information for the lactation consultant to provide the nursing mother. Thoughtfully updated, it includes new information on the science of breastfeeding and lactation, clinical protocols, and counseling methods and more timely and relevant topics. Additionally, this unique book also serves as a significant teaching tool for students, interns, and other healthcare professionals. With an extensive glossary and bulleted lists at the end of each chapter, it is an ideal study guide for International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) certification and practice.

Human Lactation, Breastfeeding: Practice and Research in the WHNP program, Advanced Postpartum/Newborn.

© 2026 | 1000 pages

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781284018271
Publisher:	Jones & Bartlett Learning
Publication date:	11/12/2025
Edition description:	8th ed.
Pages:	1000
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 1.25(h) x 9.00(d)

About the Author

Judith Lauwers, BA, IBCLC, FILCA, was cofounder and Executive Director of Breastfeeding Support Consultants from 1981 to 2004. She is a founding member of the International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA) and the Lactation Education Accreditation and Approval Review Committee (LEAAARC). She also served on the Panel of Experts for the first exam offered by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners. Judi served in several capacities in ILCA over 30 years and retired in 2020 after 12 years with LEAARC as Executive Director and Accreditation Manager.

Table of Contents

Part 1 Promotion and Support
Chapter 1 Breastfeeding Advocacy in the Modern World
Chapter 2 Interdisciplinary Healthcare Team
Chapter 3 Sociological Perspective on Breastfeeding Support
Chapter 4 Empowerment to Breastfeed
Chapter 5 Counseling Skills: Learning How to Help
Chapter 6 Client Consultations
Part 2 The Science of Lactation
Chapter 7 Lactation Anatomy and Physiology
Chapter 8 Maternal Nutrition
Chapter 9 Health Factors in Lactation
Chapter 10 Use of Infant Formula
Chapter 11 Substances in Human Milk
Part 3 Prenatal through Postpartum
Chapter 12 Prenatal Considerations
Chapter 13 Hospital Practices that Support Breastfeeding
Chapter 14 Infant Assessment and Development
Chapter 15 Getting Breastfeeding Started
Chapter 16 Infant Latch and Sucking
Chapter 17 Breastfeeding in the Early Weeks
Chapter 18 Breastfeeding Beyond the First Month
Chapter 19 Problems with Milk Production and Transfer
Part 4 Special Care
Chapter 20 Family Dynamics in Breastfeeding
Chapter 21 Special Counseling Circumstances
Chapter 22 Breastfeeding Techniques and Devices
Chapter 23 Temporary Breastfeeding Situations
Chapter 24 High-Risk Infants
Chapter 25 When Breastfeeding is Interrupted
Chapter 26 Long-Term Maternal Conditions
Chapter 27 Long-Term Infant Conditions
Part 5 Role of the IBCLC
Chapter 28 Professional Considerations
Chapter 29 Critical Reading and Review of Research
Chapter 30 Breastfeeding Promotion and Change
Appendix A Baby Feeding Requirements
Appendix B WHO Weight Charts
Appendix C Spanish Breastfeeding Glossary

Editorial Reviews

This text is written at a basic level for individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds who desire to support the breastfeeding family with accurate, concise information. The purpose is to guide breastfeeding caregivers in their care of breastfeeding mothers and their children. A majority of lactation consultant texts are written for individuals with a health-related background. In contrast, this text fills a void for a comprehensive text for providers without a healthcare background. This book is written for lactation caregivers who ""enthusiastically promote and support breastfeeding."" This book has a broad scope from historical aspects to lactation anatomy and physiology to complication management. In addition, the psychological and professional issues specific to lactation are discussed. This broad scope is well covered and timely for the breastfeeding caregiver that desires to provide comprehensive lactation consulting. The glossary, professional resources, and index are thorough and user friendly. Unique to this text is the inclusion of the critical review of scientific literature for continued knowledge acquisition. I recommend that future editions include some color photos to enhance the content. I strongly recommended this book for beginning lactation consultants from a non-health background. The comprehensive scope and easy reading with user friendly chapters will promote its use by lactation consultants.

Robin Webb-Corbett

This text covers a variety of topics in the lactation consultation field, beginning with breastfeeding promotion in the modern world, and examining the professional role of the lactation consultant, as well as basic anatomy, physiology, nutritional needs, high-risk babies, and breastfeeding techniques. Lauwers and Shinskie, both breastfeeding consultants, emphasize attitude and approach in counseling new mothers, and offer suggestions about how best to work with women during this "sensitive period" for both mother and baby. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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