An International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) is an invaluable asset to breastfeeding families, reassuring you when breastfeeding and lactation are going well, and by providing information and support to help prevent and manage common concerns.

IBCLCs are recognized worldwide as the only healthcare professional with an international certification in breastfeeding and lactation management. The rigorous professional standards of the IBCLC, and the mandated demonstration of specialized knowledge and skill through international certification, are the defining characteristics that set IBCLCs apart from other lactation and breastfeeding support personnel. Support from mother-to-mother peer counsellors, non-credentialed individuals who have taken a course in lactation and/or breastfeeding management, and community-based breastfeeding coalitions, work in adjunct to the IBCLC.

The importance of engaging IBCLCs for breastfeeding and lactation management has become a standard recommendation in efforts to improve breastfeeding promotion, protection, and support at local, regional, national, and global levels.

The standardization of specialized knowledge and skill to attain this international certification justifies the significant impact of the IBCLC in any setting. An IBCLC influences care of breastfeeding mothers, infants, children, families, and communities. Many studies reveal the impact of engagement with an IBCLC in improving breastfeeding outcomes, lowering health costs and improving families’ satisfaction.

Source: Position Paper on the Role and Impact of the IBCLC (ILCA)