What is an IBCLC?
(Otherwise known as a breastfeeding fairy godmother)
IBCLC stands for International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, which is the highest qualification in lactation support.You will find them working in hospitals, birth centres, infant feeding teams, private practice and as professional advisers for breastfeeding support organisations.
All IBCLCs receive training to equip them to work in a wide range of roles and with a wide range of breastfeeding related issues, from common issues including low milk supply, breastfeeding pain, mastitis, nipple blebs, blocked ducts, hormone and endocrine issues, inducing or stopping lactation, nursing aversion, managing social and cultural barriers, oversupply, breast lumps, supporting premature babies to feed, overcoming nipple confusion, managing complex medical issues in mum or baby whilst breastfeeding - you name it! If your baby is struggling to latch well or isn’t gaining weight properly, an IBCLC can conduct an oral assessment, determine how to make feeding sessions more efficient, fine- tune feeding plans for babies who are premature, check baby's weight, and provide a referral to another healthcare professional if your situation needs further medical specialist support.
Only IBCLCs have completed the rigorous training required to become internationally recognized lactation experts, requiring over 5 years of training, and candidates must complete 90 hours of lactation-specific education as well as over 1,000 hours of clinical experience. To maintain their accreditation, IBCLCs must then earn their recertification every five years.
Some parents find it really valuable to meet with an IBCLC antenatally, so that they can discuss any concerns they have about breastfeeding, talk through any previous breastfeeding issues and understand what might have led to any challenges they faced so they can prevent them in the future. It can also be invaluable to have a session with an IBCLC to understand how breastfeeding works, how supply establishes, learn optimal feeding positions and to generally help you feel prepared for nourishing your babe when they arrive.
I ran community based breastfeeding support groups as an Accredited Breastfeeding Counseller for 4 years before completing my studies to become an IBCLC, which include training in Understanding Tongue Tie, Diplomas in Child Nutrition, Child Psychology, Anatomy and Physiology, Human Biology, education in Medical Terminology, First Aid, counselling skills and of course Lactation Education.
Already Had Support But Still Facing Problems?
In the UK we have some of the lowest breastfeeding rates in the world, with just 1% of babies exclusively breastfed at 6 months, compared to the World Health Organisation recommendation of 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding and then 2 years or more of breastfeeding with complementary foods. Part of this may be attirbutable to the high levels of birth interventions mothers experience, and part of it may be the lack of an integrated breastfeeding support system. Many mothers find it challenging to access skilled support, and some healthcare professionals a mother may see do not receive training in breastfeeding support as part of their training unless they choose to do it voluntarily.
For those who do receive training in breastfeeding support, there are different levels of training and skill, which you can see here, IBCLCs being the highest level of support. For parents who are facing more complex issues that are not being resolved through basic support, it can be invaluable to have a full assessment with an IBCLC to create a thorough plan to investigate and address all the challenges the family are facing in holistic manner - and this is what an IBCLC is trained to do.