Licensing's effect on access to lactation support services
Date postedJanuary 2, 2025
The article from the Cato Institute discusses the potential negative impacts of requiring occupational licensing for lactation consultants, arguing that such regulations could restrict access to essential breastfeeding support. Breastfeeding has significant health benefits for infants and mothers, but many families already face barriers to accessing lactation services. The report suggests that licensing would disproportionately harm underserved communities by reducing the availability of affordable support options, as many skilled but unlicensed practitioners might be excluded. Instead, the authors advocate for maintaining flexible certification processes to balance safety with accessibility while encouraging evidence-based care.