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About Us
The Louisiana Lactation Consultant Association (LLCA) was born in the fall of 1992 as an identified need for networking among those working in the relatively
new professional field of lactation. Although mother to mother breastfeeding support was not new in the community, lactation education and support was a new
entity evolving within the healthcare system.
As of 2008, there are 96 International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) in the state of Louisiana. That number was significantly lower in 1992
when LLCA was established as were breastfeeding rates. Our breastfeeding statistics continue well below national average.
Initiation rates are about 50.7% compared to 71% US and the six-month rate drops to around 19% compared to 36% US. In addition to the overall averages,
there is great disparity between the white and black population in these breastfeeing rates.
No doubt our work to increase these numbers is crucial for healthier babies and mothers.
These mutual concerns and challenges in our day to day jobs as lactation professionals is the common thread that links us together as an organization.
Our ever-growing organization is a positive step in the goal to improve breastfeeding rates and duration in Louisiana.
LLCA membership is open to any person interested in breastfeeding support and promotion in our state and beyond. Our main focus is to provide continuing
education and professional support to our members who in turn impart a greater base of support for the mothers and breastfeeding babies in our communities.
Louisiana is known for its warm, caring and fun-loving people. LLCA embodies these characteristics with an extra large measure of passion for what we do.
Please contact us for more information or come to a meeting and see how you can be part of something that is changing our state – one breastfed baby at a time.
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