What is in a Name?
IBCLCs, CLCs, and other Breastfeeding Support Professionals
What’s in a name?
If you’ve checked out my website or social media channels, you’ll see that I often refer to myself as an IBCLC. It occurred to me that not everyone may be familiar with what becoming an IBCLC entails, or how the IBCLC designation differs from other types of lactation support. That’s why I put together this resource describing the qualifications of different breastfeeding professionals. Continue reading for a detailed breakdown!
IBCLC
IBCLC stands for International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, and it is the designation I have. IBCLCs are considered the “gold standard” of breastfeeding support. This is due to a variety of reasons, including the following:
We complete more than 90 hours of educational coursework.
We log anywhere from 300 to 1,000 supervised clinical hours prior to certification, depending on the certification pathway we choose.
We must commit to continuing education courses, and we also must retake the standardized exam every 10 years to maintain our certification.
As our title suggests, we are upheld to international standards.
We are the only breastfeeding professionals to be officially recognized by the U.S. Surgeon General.
We are also the only breastfeeding professionals who can receive service-related reimbursement from insurance companies.
Some IBCLCs are based at hospitals while some are employed by doctor’s offices, and others - like me - own (or work for) a private practice. No matter where you find us, you can rest assured knowing that many of us have reached a top-tier level of education and clinical experience.
CLC
A CLC, or Certified Lactation Counselor, has completed 45 hours of training and taken a comprehensive examination. The CLC classification is not an uncommon stepping stone for those aspiring to become IBCLCs. In fact, I was a CLC before I became an IBCLC. CLC certification is also a popular choice for other perinatal support workers - such as doulas or midwives - who are looking to provide well-rounded, holistic care to their clients. CLCs can be a helpful resource at your local hospital, birthing center, doctor’s office, or health center.
Other Certified Lactation Professionals
There are additional classifications of breastfeeding support professionals with varying degrees of education hours and clinical experience. They include the following classifications: Certified Lactation Educator (CLE), Lactation Educator Counselor (LE or LEC), Certified Breastfeeding Counselor (CBC), and Certified Breastfeeding Educator (CBE). The extent of their services and support abilities vary depending on their training and experience.
Peer Educators
Peer educators are breastfeeding parents who have undergone training and are available to provide peer support to other breastfeeding parents. They include the following designations: Women Infants and Children Peer Counselor (WIC Peer Counselor), La Leche League Leader (LLL), and Breastfeeding USA Counselor (BC). They are the equivalent of asking for breastfeeding advice from a trusted friend who has been through it personally while also having received some professional training.
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Obviously, your decision to choose one lactation professional over another can vary drastically based on your location, your needs, and the resources available to you. Hopefully, this blog post simply serves to eliminate the headache of understanding the differences between the classifications you may encounter. No matter what decision you make, I hope you find the services you need to feel confident and supported throughout your breastfeeding journey.