Get 10% off your first baby or toddler box and 15% off subscriptions
There are so many lactation consultants available to help with breastfeeding. How do you know which to choose?
A good starting point is to see what their credentials are and what experience they have.
What’s an IBCLC?
International Board Certified Lactation Consultants. They are certified by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners, providing support to breastfeeding mothers by offering leadership, advocacy, research, and professional development. It is internationally recognized.
To become an IBCLC, you need to either already be in the medical, nursing, or clinical field with a degree to support your role, or you need to have taken and passed the following prerequisite courses: biology, human anatomy, human physiology, infant and child growth and development, nutrition, psychology (or counseling or communication skills), introduction to research, and sociology (or cultural sensitivity or cultural anthropology). Therefore extensive relevant education is required to be qualified to enter the IBCLC certification pathway.
IBCLCs undergo 90 hours of approved breastfeeding education that covers human lactation and breastfeeding topics. Once completing their required hours, they complete an examination (up to 5 hours in length) at a certified centre and must pass with an 80% before becoming certified.
They must also take part in continued education and recertify through examination every 5 years.
What’s a CLC?
A certified lactation counselor/consultant. Education varies, where a candidate takes a 4.5 day course, followed by a test (up to 2.5 hours). The material is "book learning" rather than clinical learning. There are no prerequisites to entering this pathway, such as high school graduation. Some may take up to 45 hours in classroom instruction. They require 18 hours of continuing education every 3 years, rather than a recertification examination.
IBCLC vs. CLC
Lactation consulting is a largely unregulated field, and most states don’t actually require a license for someone to practice professional lactation consulting, including Florida. Therefore, it is important to know the difference between credentials for lactation consultation.
Both CLC and IBCLC offer excellent and competent knowledge and expertise to breastfeeding mothers. However, they are both trained very differently and have different levels of experience. As a mom, you need to choose what is best for you and your baby. Our Baby Experts offers both types of lactation consultants that you may choose from.
Always validate the credentials of your lactation consultant, given how unregulated it can be. At the end of the day, trust your mommy instincts and choose the provider that makes you feel most comfortable.
Copyright © 2021 Our Baby Experts - All Rights Reserved.