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Need Professional Help? 

An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) can offer expert clinical care. 

Vangee Guettinger RN, HCHI, HCHD, CD(DONA), CLE, IBCLC

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VANGEE@YOURBABYMYHELP.COM

Emily Bernard, BPsy, IBCLC

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EMILY@BEFOREANDAFTERBABY.ORG

Carol Madruga, RN, CLC

Cookielu52@sbcglobal.net

Jackie Aguas, IBCLC

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jaguas@mercedcaa.org

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What is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)?

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An IBCLC is a healthcare professional specializing in the clinical management of breastfeeding and lactation. IBCLCs are certified by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners under the direction of the U.S. National Commission for Certifying Agencies. IBCLCs work in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, pediatric offices, public health clinics, and private practice, where care is provided in your home or the consultant's office in the community. Learn more on our What is an IBCLC? page.

ILCA's Find a Lactation Consultant directory lists IBCLCs who are current members of ILCA. All entries are verified as holding a current IBCLC credential. If you are an IBCLC, but not a member, join ILCA today!

 

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Why a family might need an IBCLC

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A board-certified lactation consultant 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 help with:

  • Prenatal counseling about the factors that may affect breastfeeding and lactation

  • Basic position and latch of the infant

  • Information about practices that promote successful breastfeeding and lactation

  • Preventing and managing common concerns such as poor latch, inadequate milk transfer or supply, nipple or breast pain, and calming a fussy baby

  • Milk expression and storage for parents who must be separated from their babies

  • Strategies for breastfeeding and lactation after returning to work

  • Breastfeeding and lactation in challenging situations, such as feeding twins or triplets, a premature or sick infant, or infants in special medical situations.

Lactation Experts 

What is a Certified Lactation Counselor/Educator (CLC/E)?

The credentialed CLC has demonstrated the knowledge and skill to:

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•Construct and maintain conditions that predispose mothers and babies to an uncomplicated breastfeeding experience through counseling,education and support.

• Monitor and evaluate behavioral, cultural and social conditions predisposing mothers and babies to an uncomplicated breastfeeding experience.

 •Assess for, monitor and evaluate physical conditions that predispose mothers and babies to a complex breastfeeding experience.

• Monitor and evaluate behavioral, cultural and social conditions that predispose mothers and babies to complex breastfeeding experiences

• Identify and advocate for aspects of breastfeeding management programs that facilitate optimal health outcomes.

• Assess breastfeeding using a multi-faceted approach.

• Use counseling skills and techniques that are supportive to breastfeeding mothers and babies.

• Identify and advocate for public health strategies that serve to protect breastfeeding

• Coordinate care consistent with standards of professional ethics and behavior.

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What Is a Doula? 

A Doula is a commonly used support person for birth who is a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to a mother before, during and shortly after childbirth to help her achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible.

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If interested in this kind of support and to Find a (DONA) Doula near you, Check here findaadoula.com

15 Minutes of Breastfeeding Help with Dr. Jane

Dr. Jane Morton, MD is a Professor of Pediatrics at Stanford University School of Medicine. Her particular interest is preventing breastfeeding problems by training new mothers, their partners, and their providers simple, doable but critical steps from the first day, no matter what the challenges may be.

Many breastfeeding problems, though, can be avoided or improved with some simple tips and hands-on help with latching on. In this video, Dr. Jane Morton demonstrates how effective assistance can be given in just 15 minutes.

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For more information and videos, check out Stanford Medicine's Newborn Nursery 

  • BA/BS/BSN – Bachelor of Arts/Science/Nursing

  • CCE – Certified Childbirth Educator

  • CD – Certified Doula

  • CLE – Certified Lactation Educator

  • CLC – Certified Lactation Consultant

  • CNS – Certified Nutrition Specialist

  • CNM – Certified Nurse Midwife

  • IBCLC – International Board Certified Lactation Consultant

  • ICCE – ICEA Certified Childbirth Educator

  • LCCE – Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator (formerly ACCE)

  • LE – Lactation Educator

  • LEC – Lactation Educator Counselor

  • LM – Licensed Midwife

  • LVN – Licensed Vocational Nurse

  • MA/MS/MN – Master of Arts/Science/Nursing

  • MD – Medical Doctor

  • MPH – Master of Public Health

  • NP – Nurse Practitioner

  • OTR – Occupational Therapist Registered

  • PHN – Public Health Nurse

  • RD – Registered Dietitian

  • RN – Registered Nurse

  • RPT – Registered Physical Therapist

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Certified Lactation Educator (CLE) – has successfully completed one week course in lactation and its management and post seminar homework which may include a clinical component.

Certified Lactation Consultant (CLC) – has had extensive formal lactation education and supervised clinical training.

International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) – has had extensive formal lactation education and clinical training, has passed a certification exam, and has continuing education requirements in lactation.

Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) – has taken a one week course in lactation counseling and passed a post test.

Lactation Educator Counselor (LEC) - has taken a one week course in lactation counseling and passed a post test.

 

All licensed health practitioners have additional continuing education requirements to remain current in their respective fields.

Professional Breastfeeding Support and Health Care Provider Acronyms

Local Lactation Experts

New Strategies For Relieving Engorgement: Tips and Tools From Maya Bolman, BA, BSN, IBCLC

“There is no right way to do hand expression, only the way that is gentle and that works,” Bolman explains. She has created a free video which she encourages to be shared with mothers (with appropriate credit to Bolman). Her work with Breast Feeding Medicine of Northeast Ohio confirms that even mothers who have already attempted these techniques on their own can still benefit from in-office treatment. The video provides an excellent introduction for new mothers and clinicians to hone their hand expression technique.

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For morer information and videos, check out LactationMatters.org

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