As an IBCLC and public health practitioner, I understand the value of having evidence-based tools at your fingertips to provide accurate and timely support to breastfeeding families. That’s why I created the Lacation Consultant Toolkit App—a resource designed specifically for lactation consultants to simplify calculations and improve efficiency during consultations.
Why I Created the Lactation Consultant Toolkit
In my practice, I often encountered situations where quick access to accurate data—like weight gain percentiles or supplementation volumes—was essential. Yet, finding and performing these calculations on the spot could be time-consuming and prone to error. I envisioned an app that could centralize these tools, save time, and ensure accuracy.
What the Lactation Consultant Toolkit Does
The app offers several calculators and tools tailored for lactation consultants:
Weight Loss Calculator
- Calculates the percentage of weight lost from birth weight to current weight, a critical metric for assessing newborn feeding adequacy and hydration.
- Provides quick, precise results to help you identify whether weight loss falls within normal parameters or requires further assessment.
Growth Calculator
- Calculates total weight gain, average weekly gain, and WHO percentiles for boys and girls up to 24 months.
- Percentiles are determined using the LMS Method based on WHO Growth Standards. Calculations account for age in weeks or months, blending values for enhanced precision.
Feeding Calculator
- For babies under 1 week old, it uses guidance from the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine’s Clinical Protocol #3 to determine intake ranges.
- For older babies, it calculates daily and per feeding intake based on a 2023 meta-analysis by Rios-Leyvraz and Yao, providing values in milliliters and fluid ounces.
Triple Feeding Calculator
- Helps determine the required supplementation per feeding by calculating intake needs and subtracting milk transfer during breastfeeding.
- Uses the same calculations as the feeding calculator.
Metric Conversion Tools
- Quickly convert between common measurement units used in lactation practice.
Evidence-Based Data
The Lactation Consultant Toolkit App was carefully crafted with a strong emphasis on evidence-based practices. Every calculator and tool within the app is built on reliable, peer-reviewed research and established clinical guidelines to ensure accuracy and relevance in lactation support. Here’s a closer look at the evidence that underpins each feature:
Growth Calculator
- WHO Growth Standards: The growth percentiles for boys and girls up to 24 months are based on the World Health Organization (WHO) Child Growth Standards, using data on weight-for-age.
- Percentiles are calculated using the LMS Method, which incorporates the distribution of weight values (L for skewness, M for median, S for coefficient of variation).
- To maintain precision, the app blends values for ages between months (e.g., 1.7 months), yielding percentiles accurate within 2% of week-based WHO data.
- Data for ages over 24 months are not supported to ensure alignment with the WHO’s specified limits.
Feeding Calculator
- Ages < 1 Week: The feeding calculator uses guidance from the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM) Clinical Protocol #3 (Kellams et al., 2017).
- ABM Protocol #3 provides recommended feeding volumes for newborns based on hours of life, which the app refines into smaller ranges tailored to the desired number of feedings per day.
- Outputs are given in both milliliters and liquid ounces for flexibility in clinical use.
- Ages ≥ 1 Week: For older babies, the app uses intake data from a 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis by Rios-Leyvraz and Yao, published in Breastfeeding Medicine.
- Intake volumes are based on mean milk intake (in mL/kg/day) by age in months, along with ranges corresponding to one standard deviation.
- By combining the baby’s age and weight, the app calculates daily intake and divides it into per-feeding volumes based on the desired number of feedings.
Triple Feeding Calculator
- Built on the same foundational data as the feeding calculator for babies 1 week and older, this tool helps assess supplementation needs during triple feeding.
- By subtracting observed milk transfer from the total feeding target, it provides a precise supplementation amount for each feeding session.
Weight Loss Calculator
- This tool calculates percentage of weight loss by comparing the birth weight to the current weight, a critical metric for evaluating neonatal hydration and feeding adequacy.
- It aligns with standard clinical practices that assess weight loss thresholds (commonly 7–10%) to guide interventions.
Evidence Consultation
To ensure the app reflects real-world clinical needs, I consulted with a breastfeeding medicine physician on the best practices for weight gain, growth, and feeding calculations. This collaboration ensured that the tools not only align with evidence but also address practical scenarios faced by lactation consultants.
By grounding every calculation in robust evidence, the IBCLC Toolkit supports lactation consultants in making informed, confident decisions during consultations.
Continuous Improvement
I am deeply committed to making the Lactation Consultant Toolkit as useful as possible for you. Based on early feedback, I’ve already added WHO growth percentiles, and I am exploring additional features like growth velocity tracking. Your input helps me refine the app and ensure it meets the needs of our field.
Share Your Feedback
Whether you’re already using the Lactation Consultant Toolkit or just learning about it, I’d love to hear from you. What features would make your work easier? Are there calculations or tools you wish were included? Reach out to share your thoughts!
Download the App
The Lactation Consultant Toolkit is now available to download, giving you the tools you need to streamline your practice and provide exceptional care.
Together, let’s continue to support breastfeeding families with confidence and evidence-based tools.
References
Kellams, A., Harrel, C., Omage, S., Gregory, C., Rosen-Carole, C., & the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine. (2017). ABM clinical protocol #3: Supplementary feedings in the healthy term breastfed neonate, revised 2017. Breastfeeding Medicine, 12(3), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2017.29038.ajk
Rios-Leyvraz, M., & Yao, Q. (2023). The volume of breast milk intake in infants and young children: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Breastfeeding Medicine, 18(3), 188–197. https://doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2022.0281
Margaret well done on this amazing app! These are currently things I use two apps and manual calculations to complete . Having everything in one place is transformational for my practice. I love the design and each component is very easy to use. Thank you for making a wonderful and useful tool.