%0 Journal Article
%T Information scanning ¨C keeping in touch with best practice in breastfeeding
%A Ellen McIntyre
%J International Breastfeeding Journal
%D 2006
%I BioMed Central
%R 10.1186/1746-4358-1-15
%X There is so much we still need to know about how best to enable mothers to successfully breastfeed. In addition, we are all time-poor in an ever increasing information-rich environment. This paper describes some of the methods practitioners (those directly involved with helping mothers) can use to scan the environment for up-to-date information about best practice in breastfeeding. By keeping in touch ¨C with other practitioners and International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC), with researchers, with decision makers, and with research findings ¨C practitioners can ensure they help mothers most effectively.Attend relevant conferences, seminars and workshops in your area but also once in a while go to a conference in another state or region or even overseas. While there is an added cost, it is worthwhile broadening your horizons beyond your local area. While at conferences, make the most of the opportunity and network with other delegates. To keep informed about conferences, join your local professional lactation organization and the International Lactation Consultants Association (ILCA) [1]. Check their websites as well as the International Board of Lactation Consultants Examiners (IBLCE) website regularly to keep up to date with issues pertinent to this profession [2]. Their links are also worth viewing. You might also organize to visit other IBCLCs at their workplaces.Lactnet, an email list of health professionals and others interested in discussing issues of breastfeeding contains a wealth of information [3]. Although it can be very time consuming to read the emails submitted by those among the 3300 plus subscribers, it does have an archival facility to assist with searching specific topics.As mentioned above, attend conferences but also make the effort to talk to the researchers who are presenting their work. If you have read some of their work, send them an email (most papers list author contact details) if you wish to know more or wish to share you
%U http://www.internationalbreastfeedingjournal.com/content/1/1/15