AUBURN — Ginny Andrews, manager for Western Maine Community Action’s Women, Infants and Children Program, and Erin Cotton, registered dietitian, have been awarded the Certified Lactation Counselor credential.

The two completed the Healthy Children Project’s 45-hour, evidence-based, comprehensive lactation course.

The CLC credential signifies that the holder has demonstrated the necessary skills, knowledge and attitudes to provide breastfeeding counseling and management support to families who are thinking about breastfeeding or who have questions or problems during the course of breastfeeding/lactation.

Obtaining the CLC credential is a way of demonstrating  knowledge and skills in lactation management. Individuals work as lactation counselors in settings including obstetric and pediatric practice settings, hospitals, public health programs and independent practice.