What exactly is an "IBCLC"?
The acronym IBCLC stands for "International Board Certified Lactation Consultant", an allied healthcare professional who has robust hands-on training and education in evidence-based breastfeeding management. An IBCLCs preparation and practice is governed by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners. IBCLCs are experts in anticipating and preventing breastfeeding issues, and they help families restore breastfeeding when issues present throughout the duration (no matter how long) of a family's breastfeeding season. For this reason, IBCLCs are relied upon by obstetric, midwifery, pediatric, pediatric dentistry, speech pathology, and neonatology providers. In addition, community breastfeeding supporters such as support group leaders, breastfeeding peer counselors, doulas, etc. refer families to IBCLCs routinely.
Where do IBCLCs usually practice?
Just like other healthcare providers, IBCLCs practice in different settings.
To find an IBCLC in your area, enter "IBCLC (your city or zip code name here)" in to a search engine.
Important: Not everyone who says their a lactation consultant is an international board-certified lactation consultant (which ensures they are trained to what the
US Surgeon General considers the gold standard of lactation training). If you have questions about whether or not someone is certified as an IBCLC, you may visit www.IBLCE.org to verify their certification status.
Interesting facts about IBCLCs:
Who can be an IBCLC?
A IBCLC can be any person (yes, men and women who have never been mothers can be breastfeeding experts, just like they can be obstetricians and midwives) who is serious about committing time to pursuing the education required to sit for the IBCLC Board Exam (which takes about 2-5 years to prepare for). Although many IBCLCs have a healthcare background, or a degree, neither is currently required to qualify to sit for the exam. Candidates should, however, expect to work hard via an internship, possibly returning to college or university, and taking lactation-specific classes. To learn even more about becoming an IBCLC, visit the IBLCE's Certify page.
To conclude...
Families and providers alike can rely on the skills and critical-thinking skills of IBCLCs. Where most providers can take on only a mother, or only a baby as a patient, IBCLCs are very experienced and able to care for both a mother and her baby. An IBCLC will understand the intricate relationship and dependance that one has on the other, and will help you troubleshoot and balance your breastfeeding.
If you are in San Antonio or surrounding areas and feel like your breastfeeding relationship needs balancing, Laura Gruber, IBCLC can help.
Where do IBCLCs usually practice?
Just like other healthcare providers, IBCLCs practice in different settings.
- Hospitals (in units where mothers and babies are, or in outpatient offices)
- Private-Practice (may do in-home visits, or have their own offices)
- Doctor's Offices
- Government & Non-Profit Agencies
To find an IBCLC in your area, enter "IBCLC (your city or zip code name here)" in to a search engine.
Important: Not everyone who says their a lactation consultant is an international board-certified lactation consultant (which ensures they are trained to what the
US Surgeon General considers the gold standard of lactation training). If you have questions about whether or not someone is certified as an IBCLC, you may visit www.IBLCE.org to verify their certification status.
Interesting facts about IBCLCs:
- There are 28,892 IBCLCs globally. More than half of those (15,738) live in the United States as of 2016
- The IBCLC profession was born in 1970--we're only 31 years old!
- To protect families from receiving outdated support, IBCLCs are required to recertify every 5 years
Who can be an IBCLC?
A IBCLC can be any person (yes, men and women who have never been mothers can be breastfeeding experts, just like they can be obstetricians and midwives) who is serious about committing time to pursuing the education required to sit for the IBCLC Board Exam (which takes about 2-5 years to prepare for). Although many IBCLCs have a healthcare background, or a degree, neither is currently required to qualify to sit for the exam. Candidates should, however, expect to work hard via an internship, possibly returning to college or university, and taking lactation-specific classes. To learn even more about becoming an IBCLC, visit the IBLCE's Certify page.
To conclude...
Families and providers alike can rely on the skills and critical-thinking skills of IBCLCs. Where most providers can take on only a mother, or only a baby as a patient, IBCLCs are very experienced and able to care for both a mother and her baby. An IBCLC will understand the intricate relationship and dependance that one has on the other, and will help you troubleshoot and balance your breastfeeding.
If you are in San Antonio or surrounding areas and feel like your breastfeeding relationship needs balancing, Laura Gruber, IBCLC can help.
IBCLCs provide breastfeeding families
support with:
- Adoptive/Induced Nursing
- Bra Sizing
- Breastfeeding & Intimacy
- Breastfeeding Education for the Homebound Mother
- Breastfeeding Loss Counseling
- Breastfeeding Multiples (twins, triplets, etc.)
- Creating Your Own Breastfeeding Support System
- Dads and Breastfeeding
- Disorganized Suck
- Donation (Milk Banking)
- Edema of the Breast
- Engorgement Relief
- Food Allergies & Breastfeeding
- Hand Expression
- Healthy Weaning
- Home-Birth Breastfeeding Assessment
- Infant Weight Loss
- Inverted and Flat Nipples
- Latch Assessment
- Lip-tie
- Low Milk Production/Low Milk Supply
- Mastitis Care
- Milk Supply Management
- Nerve Damage (associated with birth trauma)
- Nipple Care
- Plugged Duct Care
- Post NICU Discharge/Special-Needs Nursing
- Pre/Post-Feeding Weight Checks (to measure breastmilk intake)
- Pre/Postnatal Breastfeeding Education
- Pumping Consultation
- Relactation
- Referrals to providers for further assessment
- Sore Nipples
- Suck Training
- Oral Motor/Suck Mechanics (high-palate, over/underbites, receding chins, cleft-lips/palates)
- Thrush Management
- Tongue-Tie (Posterior & Anterior)
- Weaning Depression