Providing professional lactation management consultation.

The probability of successful lactation and breastfeeding can be maximized by professional lactation management consultant services such as those provided by the San Diego Lactation Program. There are four distinct service components of the program: prenatal guidance; skilled immediate postpartum assistance; a telephone consultation service; and evaluation of lactation progress and problem solving in a special lactation clinic. To insure the best care for the mother-infant couple, these services must be provided by health care professionals with "hands-on" backgrounds in one of the perinatal specialties (M.D. or R.N.) as well as knowledge and skills in the specific area of lactation. Teaching hospital-based lactation programs such as the San Diego model can offer both consultant services and provide a much needed learning opportunity in lactation and breastfeeding management for such health professionals.