OLCA Exclusive!
Is your local hospital or other organization switching from HMBANA Milk Bank donor milk to shelf-stable milk?
Click here to access a video and document to share with your organization. Provided in conjunction with Hope Lima, PhD, RDN, LRD, IBCLC
Infant Formula Shortage Statement and Resource Links
OLCA Statement on Current National Infant Formula Shortage
May 13, 2022
As the association representative of International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) and all breastfeeding educators and support persons in the State of Ohio, OLCA shares concern with state policy makers, health associations, departments and families regarding the shortage of infant formula. OLCA recognizes that not all families prefer to breastfeed or are able to breastfeed, but endeavors to raise awareness of strategies which may be helpful to the formula shortage prenatally and postnatally as families make infant feeding choices.
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We encourage prenatal providers and pediatricians to talk about breastfeeding with patients and provide resources for prenatal and postnatal lactation care for families with goals to breastfeed
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If a family is struggling with breastfeeding, reach out to a lactation consultant, who can help provide solutions to challenges and potentially minimize the need for formula
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Lactation consultants assist with all types of infant feeding, whether at breast or with a bottle; all types of milk, whether breastmilk or any combination of formula and/or breastmilk; and can also help with relactation to whatever degree possible
Options for accessing IBCLC lactation consultant care and breastfeeding support in Ohio:
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Ohio Breastfeeding Alliance Database with links to local lactation consultant care across the state of Ohio: https://ohiobreastfeedingalliance.org/oba-resources-database/
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Ohio Department of Health/Appalachian Breastfeeding Network 24/7 Hotline: 1-888-588-3423
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Many local birthing hospitals offer outpatient lactation consultations
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Ohio WIC offices also offer peer lactation support as well as IBCLC care
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If mothers have extra breast milk that they would like to donate, contact OhioHealth Mothers’ Milk Bank at 614-566-0630 or email milkbank@ohiohealth.com. Infants with medical needs may qualify for insurance coverage of donor milk.
Contact your infant health care provider for specific questions about what is appropriate to feed your baby.
Support advocacy efforts for policies that reduce societal barriers to breastfeeding:
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Equitable access to and public health plan coverage for lactation care
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Family paid leave
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Workplace pumping space and time
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Breastfeeding informed childcare centers
Contact president@ohio-olca.org for further information or media requests.
For a printable copy of this Statement, click here.
Annual Breastfest Conference
Education Meetings
Breastfeeding and Covid-19
OLCA's 30th Annual Breastfest Conference will be held in person and virtually on April 8-9, 2022
Save the date and check back for more information to be announced soon!
OLCA offers free education opportunities to members with CERPs. These opportunities are offered at member meetings in September and November.
We have great resources on how Covid-19 has affected breastfeeding.
Visit our resource page for more information.
About Us
What is OLCA and how do I become involved?
OLCA (Ohio Lactation Consultant Association) is one of the oldest and most active affiliates of the United States Lactation Consultant Association (USLCA). Our close ties to USLCA are strengthened by the direct involvement of our members. We fully embrace and are committed to the directives included in the World Health Organization, the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes, The Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, and the ILCA Position Paper on Infant Feeding.
Members of OLCA come from all over the state of Ohio. You do not have to be a certified Lactation Consultant to belong. Our members bring with them a wish to support and promote breastfeeding in our state. Some are members of the medical field, some are dietitians, others belong to LLL. Many of our members are active in other professional associations and serve as links for breastfeeding dialogue across the state.
OLCA's Mission
To be the voice of Ohio Lactation Consultants in their efforts to transform society into a breastfeeding culture. To empower, support, and educate our membership enabling them to be articulate agents for change.
Are you a new IBCLC?
If you have recently passed the IBCLC Exam, you are invited to receive a complimentary OLCA Membership for one year! Please complete the Contact Form below, and be sure to enter "NEW IBCLC" in the subject line, and your IBCLC ID Number along with a message requesting a new IBCLC Membership. Upon approval by the Membership Chair, you will have access to our exclusive Members Only content!
Are you a member of a traditionally under-represented racial group of lactation care providers?
Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is essential to the Ohio Lactation Consultant Association's mission to be the voice of Ohio Lactation Consultants in their efforts to transform society into a breastfeeding culture and to empower, support, and educate our membership enabling them to be articulate agents for change. If you are a Black/African-American, Latinx, Asian, Native American/Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, you are invited to receive a complimentary OLCA Membership for one year! Please complete the Contact Form below, and be sure to enter "DEI Membership" in the subject line, and include a message requesting a DEI Membership. Upon approval by the Membership Chair, you will have access to our exclusive Members Only content!
