Levels of Lactation Support
Written by Erie Melnychuk BScN, IBCLC, RLC
As you prepare for the arrival of your little one, attending an information session on breastfeeding, taking part in La Leche League meetings, or just sitting down with a lactation consultant or educator can be very helpful - both for gathering knowledge as well as setting up support when you start your breastfeeding journey. But as you meet with these "lactation experts", it's important to know who you're talking to, what qualifications they hold, and what services they're able to offer you. Here are a few common acronyms you may come across when seeking breastfeeding help.
IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant)
IBCLCs are certified by IBCLE (International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners). To achieve certification they have had extensive formal lactation-specific education and practice hours. They have also written an exam giving them international certification. Recertification occurs every 5 years and includes submitting continuing education hours (75 hours in 5 years) and/or re-writing the certification exam.
IBCLCs are healthcare professionals or experienced breastfeeding support counselors who can work both in hospital and clinic settings, as well as in private practice. They educate both breastfeeding families as well as the general public and medical staff, assess mom and baby for issues beyond normal, advise mothers on galactogauges (medications and supplements to assist in the production of milk) and the impact of medications and breastfeeding, and make appropriate referrals (such as to a physician or dentist).
More information on what IBCLCs have to offer can be found here.
RLC (Registered Lactation Consultant)
This is another designation International Board Certified Lactation Consultants can use in North America. It is trademarked by IBCLE (International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners)
LLLL (La Leche League Leader)
La Leche League Leaders are volunteers within the La Leche League organization, and are accredited through LLL (La Leche League Canada, or La Leche League International, depending on where you're from reading this) Leaders are mothers who have breastfeed their babies for at least 9 months at the start of the accreditation process. Leaders become accredited through required readings, introspection, and a considerable amount of written curriculum set out by LLL.
LLL Leaders are volunteers. They offer monthly meetings, as well as phone help. Some leaders offer home visits as well, but you will have to check with your local group. LLL leaders are trained to help with basic breastfeeding issues, offer education on a variety of topics related to breastfeeding, as well as offer support, both emotionally and practical support. They can also help a mom discern when more help is needed, and often have a list of community resources, such as local IBCLCs they can refer to.
More information on LLL can be found here (in Canada) and here (Internationally).
CLE (Certified Lactation Educator)
CLEs are certified by CAPPA (Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association). Their certification is achieved through required readings, workshops, as well as projects and research that is submitted to a director. The recertification process occurs every 3 years and requires submitting continuing education hours (15 hours in 3 years), as well as reviewing current research on lactation.
CLEs can educate both breastfeeding families as well as the general public and medical staff, as well as provide emotional and practical support to mothers. They can assist with basic breastfeeding issues (such as latch issues) and help expectant mothers prepare for breastfeeding. They can also help a mom discern when more help is needed, and often have a list of community resources, such as local IBCLCs they can refer to. It is important to note that according to CAPPA, the lactation Educator Program does NOT "qualify a member to dispense medical advice, diagnose or prescribe medication".
More information on what CLEs have to offer can be found here.
CBC (Certified Breastfeeding Counselor)
CBCs are certified through Childbirth International. The certification requirements include practice hours, required readings, and case studies. Unfortunately the scope of practice as well as recertification requirements are unclear.
LC (Lactation Counselor, or occasionally Consultant)
This is a common title used by those offering breastfeeding help. While it does not carry specific certification alone, many women using this title have obtained knowledge through workshops, reading, and experience that do not fall in a specific certification program. It is important to note that anyone can use this title. There is no certification process.
LE (Lactation Educator)
Like LCs, this is a common title used by those offering breastfeeding help, who do not have certification. Many women using this title have obtained knowledge through workshops, reading, and experience that do not fall in a specific certification program, but it is important to note that like the LC designation, anyone can use this title. There is no certification process.
Used with permission by Erie Melnychuk BScN, IBCLC, RLC. Originally posted on her blog, http://edmontonibclc.blogspot.com/2011/08/ibclc-lc-cle-what-does-it-mean.html
IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant)
IBCLCs are certified by IBCLE (International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners). To achieve certification they have had extensive formal lactation-specific education and practice hours. They have also written an exam giving them international certification. Recertification occurs every 5 years and includes submitting continuing education hours (75 hours in 5 years) and/or re-writing the certification exam.
IBCLCs are healthcare professionals or experienced breastfeeding support counselors who can work both in hospital and clinic settings, as well as in private practice. They educate both breastfeeding families as well as the general public and medical staff, assess mom and baby for issues beyond normal, advise mothers on galactogauges (medications and supplements to assist in the production of milk) and the impact of medications and breastfeeding, and make appropriate referrals (such as to a physician or dentist).
More information on what IBCLCs have to offer can be found here.
RLC (Registered Lactation Consultant)
This is another designation International Board Certified Lactation Consultants can use in North America. It is trademarked by IBCLE (International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners)
LLLL (La Leche League Leader)
La Leche League Leaders are volunteers within the La Leche League organization, and are accredited through LLL (La Leche League Canada, or La Leche League International, depending on where you're from reading this) Leaders are mothers who have breastfeed their babies for at least 9 months at the start of the accreditation process. Leaders become accredited through required readings, introspection, and a considerable amount of written curriculum set out by LLL.
LLL Leaders are volunteers. They offer monthly meetings, as well as phone help. Some leaders offer home visits as well, but you will have to check with your local group. LLL leaders are trained to help with basic breastfeeding issues, offer education on a variety of topics related to breastfeeding, as well as offer support, both emotionally and practical support. They can also help a mom discern when more help is needed, and often have a list of community resources, such as local IBCLCs they can refer to.
More information on LLL can be found here (in Canada) and here (Internationally).
CLE (Certified Lactation Educator)
CLEs are certified by CAPPA (Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association). Their certification is achieved through required readings, workshops, as well as projects and research that is submitted to a director. The recertification process occurs every 3 years and requires submitting continuing education hours (15 hours in 3 years), as well as reviewing current research on lactation.
CLEs can educate both breastfeeding families as well as the general public and medical staff, as well as provide emotional and practical support to mothers. They can assist with basic breastfeeding issues (such as latch issues) and help expectant mothers prepare for breastfeeding. They can also help a mom discern when more help is needed, and often have a list of community resources, such as local IBCLCs they can refer to. It is important to note that according to CAPPA, the lactation Educator Program does NOT "qualify a member to dispense medical advice, diagnose or prescribe medication".
More information on what CLEs have to offer can be found here.
CBC (Certified Breastfeeding Counselor)
CBCs are certified through Childbirth International. The certification requirements include practice hours, required readings, and case studies. Unfortunately the scope of practice as well as recertification requirements are unclear.
LC (Lactation Counselor, or occasionally Consultant)
This is a common title used by those offering breastfeeding help. While it does not carry specific certification alone, many women using this title have obtained knowledge through workshops, reading, and experience that do not fall in a specific certification program. It is important to note that anyone can use this title. There is no certification process.
LE (Lactation Educator)
Like LCs, this is a common title used by those offering breastfeeding help, who do not have certification. Many women using this title have obtained knowledge through workshops, reading, and experience that do not fall in a specific certification program, but it is important to note that like the LC designation, anyone can use this title. There is no certification process.
Used with permission by Erie Melnychuk BScN, IBCLC, RLC. Originally posted on her blog, http://edmontonibclc.blogspot.com/2011/08/ibclc-lc-cle-what-does-it-mean.html