Breastfeeding support comes in many different forms - peer counselors, certified lactation counselors (CLC), doulas, lactation consultants, IBCLC's - and it can be difficult to distinguish between them, or know which type of support would be right for you. Read on to learn what an IBCLC is and why this designation exists.
In short, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) is a healthcare professional who specializes in breastfeeding support and clinical lactation management. IBCLC is the only internationally regulated, board-certified professional lactation credential and is considered to be the "gold standard" for breastfeeding support.
IBCLC's work in hospitals, maternity wards, clinics, private practice, government organizations, and with non-profits. They are considered to be part of the maternal/infant healthcare team and must abide by IBLCE's Standards of Practice, Code of Ethics, and must operate within a defined Scope of Practice.
In order to achieve the IBCLC designation, a candidate must complete the following:
1. Health Science credits from an accredited post-secondary institution in the following subjects:
Biology
Human Anatomy
Human Physiology
Infant and Child Growth and Development
Introduction to Clinical Research
Nutrition
Psychology or Counselling Skills or Communication Skills
Sociology or Cultural Sensitivity or Cultural Anthropology
2. Training in the following areas:
Basic Life Support
Medical Documentation
Medical Terminology
Occupational Safety and Security for Health Professionals
Professional Ethics for Health Professionals
Universal Safety Precautions and Infection Control
3. Must have 95 hours of lactation-specific education that covers human lactation or breastfeeding topics, including five hours of education focused on communication skills.
4. Must have completed 300-1000+ hours of clinical experience (depending on which pathway they took) supporting breastfeeding/lactating patients, usually under the supervision of an IBCLC mentor.
5. Must have written and passed the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners examination, covering such topics as: maternal/infant development and nutrition, physiology and endocrinology, maternal/infant pathology, pharmacology and toxicology, psychology/anthropology/sociology, techniques, and clinical skills (eg, research, public health, advocacy, equipment and technology).
When you hire an IBCLC, you know you are working with a healthcare professional with an expertise in clinical lactation management and support.
How do IBCLC's differ from other breastfeeding support providers?
Although all breastfeeding support persons are valuable, they are not all regulated. For instance, there is no internationally recognized pathway to becoming a "peer counselor" or "lactation consultant" and anybody with any level of training (or none at all) can refer to themselves by these titles. Doulas often have lactation-specific training and practical experience assisting families with breastfeeding, but their training is not standardized. Because some of these designations are not regulated, there are often no formal Standards of Practice or Codes of Ethics they must follow, and no overseeing authority to manage complaints of misconduct.
Certified lactation counselors (CLC's) are regulated by The Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice. They do receive lactation-specific education and must abide by a code of ethics. However, the standards are less rigorous for CLC's than for IBCLC's. For instance, they only need 52 hours of training and are not required to satisfy any health science education courses, clinical experience, or mentorship requirements such as those required by IBLCE.
That being said, peer counselors, CLC's, and doulas can be wonderful sources of breastfeeding knowledge and support! If you have access to these resources, absolutely take advantage of them. We need lactation support at every level of prenatal and postpartum care.
When to call an IBCLC?
IBCLC's are qualified to assist with a broad variety of breastfeeding/lactation challenges, from the simple to the complex. IBCLC's can help with prenatal education, latching, and positioning but also more complicated situations such as ductal plugging, mastitis, oral restrictions, and over/under supply. If you are struggling to breastfeed in any way, an IBCLC can be a valuable investment. If you have already seen a peer counselor or doula for help with the basics but are now experiencing something more complex, it may be worth reaching out to an IBCLC for more specialized support.
The take away
IBCLC's are highly specialized healthcare professionals qualified to assist with a wide variety of breastfeeding/lactation concerns. Peer counselors, doulas, and other lactation professionals are also valuable sources of support, but may be unregulated or less specialized than IBCLC's.
I am proud to call myself an IBCLC because I know that my years of training and hundreds of hours of clinical experience have enabled me to better serve the breastfeeding community.
Doulas and counselors, thank you for your support - we love you!
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