How do the peer counselors handle referrals?
Peer counselors are trained to assist moms with normal breastfeeding situations and to make appropriate referrals when they encounter situations that are outside the realm of normal breastfeeding. Local agencies must have resources for peer counselors to refer clients with problems that are outside the realm of normal breastfeeding. Counselors must have good documentation, good resources and good referral sources. Many local agencies have IBCLCs on staff and others have IBCLCs on contract on as needed basis. In a few areas, where there is no IBCLC, the local agency breastfeeding coordinator and the peer counselor may be the breastfeeding experts in those communities. They must find a breastfeeding friendly doctor or nurse to make necessary referrals, or they must find some kind of backup for situations beyond their expertise. This is key, we must have good referral sources, counselors need to feel confident that their clients will get help when they make referrals. Mom’s Place Lactatio
