An IBCLC is a healthcare professional who has achieved the highest accreditation in the specialization of lactation.  IBCLSs train for 2-5 (or more) years, and complete 90 hours of lactation-specific education and 300-1000 hours of hands-on clinical hours.  To maintain their accreditation, IBCLCs re-certify every five years by examination or by continuing education and a continuing education self-assessment 

What do IBCLCs do?

• Assist with lactation needs

• Assist with latch and positioning

• Assist with pump selection, and information, and plan a pumping schedule

• Education about storage of breast milk

• Provide information about medications that you can share with your doctor

• Make referrals to other healthcare professionals to improve breastfeeding outcomes.

• Assist with plans for: 

- Relieving engorgement,

- Improving low milk supply or over supply of breast milk,

- Relieving sore nipples or painful breastfeeding,

- Latch refusal,

- A fussy baby, a baby that spits up frequently, a baby that feeds all the time,

- Improving infant weight issues,

- Improving feedings at the breast when the infant was born premature or late pre-term,

- Breastfeeding an adopted baby,

- Nursing multiple babies,

- Tandem breastfeeding,

- Resolving mastitis, and plugged ducts,

- Infant or maternal illness.

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