Blog

International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) are important members of the maternal-child health team, specialising in breastfeeding care. Becoming a member of this elite community requires step-by-step preparation. Whether you are a nurse, a midwife, or a passionate community supporter, the IBCLC certification ensures that you possess the skills necessary to manage complex lactation issues. This blog acts as a comprehensive guide on how to become an IBCLC.

What is IBCLC?

The healthcare professional who specialises in the clinical management of breastfeeding and human lactation is an IBCLC. This certification is awarded by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBCLCE), allowing you to work as a specialist in hospitals, private practices, and public health clinics.

Why IBCLC Certification?

IBCLC is the gold standard in lactation care, displaying your clinical experience, specialised lactation education, and commitment to breastfeeding care. The IBCLC certification allows you to:

• Elevate your breastfeeding knowledge: The rigorous eligibility requirements and continuous learning for recertification ensure your lactation knowledge remains up-to-date.
• Enhance your professional profile: IBCLC is a globally recognised certification, validating that you have a global credential in the lactation care profession.
• Protect and Support Breastfeeding: IBCLCs work collaboratively with prenatal and postpartum providers to help new families meet their breastfeeding goals.

How Do I Become an IBCLC?

These are the steps you should follow if you want to become a certified breastfeeding consultant:

1. Education: The first step is to complete the Health Science Education and Lactation Specific Education. You should be educated in one of the clinical healthcare professions on the Recognised Health Professions List, or provide evidence from a governmental authority that recognises your profession as a clinical health profession.

• Dietician
• Midwife
• Nurse
• Occupational Therapist
• Pharmacist
• Physical Therapist or Physiotherapist
• Physician or Medical Doctor
• Speech Pathologist or Therapist & more

2. Clinical Practice: Complete one of the three Pathways to obtain the required Clinical Practice hours. There are three pathways that candidates can choose from to meet the Lactation Specific Clinical Practice requirement. The three pathways are as follows:

• Pathway 1- Recognised Health Professionals and Recognised Breastfeeding Support Counsellors: Pathway 1 IBCLC candidates must practise as a Recognised Health Professional or provide breastfeeding support through a Recognised Breastfeeding Support Counsellor Organisation. All pathway 1 candidates must have the following:

1. Minimum of 90 hours of lactation-specific education within the five years immediately prior to examination application.
2. Minimum of five years of education focused on communication skills within the five years immediately before examination application.
3. Minimum of 1000 hours of lactation-specific clinical practice in an appropriate supervised setting within the five years immediately before examination application.

• Pathway 2- Accredited Lactation Academic Programmes: Pathway 2 IBCLC applicants must complete a comprehensive academic programme in human lactation and breastfeeding that the Commission accredits through the Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or another accrediting body with equivalent accreditation standards for lactation academic programmes.

1. Minimum of 90 hours of lactation-specific education within the five years immediately before the exam application.
2. Minimum of 5 hours of education focused on communication skills within the five years immediately before applying for the exam.
3. Minimum of 300 hours of directly supervised lactation-specific clinical practice within the five years immediately prior to examination application.

• Pathway 3- Mentorship with an IBCLC: Pathway 3 mentorship is a structured, defined relationship between an applicant and IBCLCs, which must be preapproved. The mentorship must be developed according to the specifications found in the Pathway 3 Plan Guide, and the certification status of the IBCLCs serving as mentors must be verified before beginning the mentorship. All Pathway 3 Plans must be verified through an application process (which includes a fee) before earning clinical hours for this Pathway.

1. Minimum of 2 hours of WHO Code Education
2. Minimum of 500 hours of directly supervised lactation-specific clinical practice as described in the Pathway 3 Plan Guide, obtained within the five years immediately before examination.
3. Adherence to, with attestation, the Code of Professional Conduct for IBCLCs.

3. Commitment to a Code of Professional Conduct: Review the Code of Professional Conduct for IBCLCs.

Take the IBCLC Examination

Once you have chosen the pathway, it is time to take on the exam:

• Apply for the exam when the application window is open.
• Once you have applied for the exam, sit the exam in a chosen exam centre.
• Passing the exam helps you gain IBCLC certification, helping you join the over 38,000 IBCLCs worldwide.

Recertify Your Credential

Unlike normal specialisation exams, IBCLC needs to be recertified every five years to maintain its credibility. This helps you to continue your learning, updating your knowledge every day. The purpose of the IBCLC recertification is to ensure that IBCLCs remain the most trusted source for lactation and breastfeeding care.

The Structured Study Plan Provider for IBCLC

If you are looking for an enhanced study plan for IBCLC, StudyMEDIC is ready to provide you with exactly that. We recently launched our IBCLC Preparatory Course, specifically designed to take your IBCLC preparation to the next level.

Why Choose StudyMEDIC for your IBCLC?

• Advanced LMS 3.0: Access a high-tech platform that organises your 90+ hours of education into simplified modules.
• Expert Mentorship: In-depth learning with clinical experts who understand the nuances of the IBCLE blueprint.
• Structured Study Plan: We provide a timeline-driven approach that ensures you cover every topic, from anatomy to pharmacology.

Your global career in lactation care begins here. Follow our Instagram to get the latest updates about the IBCLC exam. If you have any questions about the course, please don’t hesitate to contact our team.

Written by: Muhammed Farzeen