About: Lactation Consultants
IBCLC stands for Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant. IBCLC's are healthcare professionals or experienced breastfeeding support counselors who can work in hospitals, clinics, and in private practice. They have had extensive formal lactation-specific education and practice hours, followed by a written exam giving them certification through the IBCLE (International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners). Recertification is required every 5 years, thus ensuring that their knowledge and skills are up to date and evidence-based. In North America, IBCLC's may also use the Registered Lactation Consultant (RLC) designation.
Some common breastfeeding topics that an IBCLC may be able to address are:
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IBCLC certification is considered the gold standard of lactation and breastfeeding support. You can be confident when you call an IBCLC that not only are you are seeking assistance from a certified and trained professional, but that they are passionate about helping you and your baby breastfeed. This entire profession is dedicated to successful breastfeeding!
When you are seeking professional breastfeeding assistance, it is important to note that there are other levels of lactation support available, which can have varying requirements for education, training, and certification. Individuals without IBCLC credentials may still refer to themselves as a breastfeeding counsellor, lactation educator, and so on. Some of the other levels of lactation support are as follows:
When you are seeking professional breastfeeding assistance, it is important to note that there are other levels of lactation support available, which can have varying requirements for education, training, and certification. Individuals without IBCLC credentials may still refer to themselves as a breastfeeding counsellor, lactation educator, and so on. Some of the other levels of lactation support are as follows:
- Certified Lactation Educators (CLE) are certified through an association (such as CAPPA), by required readings, workshops, as well as projects and research which are submitted to a director. CLEs can educate breastfeeding families, the general public and medical staff. They can identify when additional support is needed, and often have a list of community resources and IBCLC's to refer to.
- La Leche League Leaders (LLLL) are volunteers within the La Leche League organization. Leaders are mothers who have breastfeed their babies for at least 9 months, and have become accredited through required readings and written curriculum set out by LLL. They offer monthly meetings, as well as phone help.
- Lactation Counsellors (LC) and Lactation Educators (LE) are titles that individuals may use when offering help with breastfeeding. These individuals have obtained knowledge through workshops, reading and experience. There is no certification process, and anyone can use these titles.