Certification typically requires a set number of education hours, assessment through exams, and hands-on skills developed through experience. However, there is an important distinction between these two positions. But neither of them would be medical caregivers (unless they are medically trained in another role such as a nurse). Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) – The lactation consultant who is board certified had gone through comprehensive training and board testing to qualify as someone who can offer extensive support in the most complicated breastfeeding problems.

If they diagnose thrush, they can explain the treatment options. Breastfeeding support for mothers, especially first-time moms, is crucial in ensuring their success in their breastfeeding journey. Clinical practice in an appropriate supervised setting, to include the following: Primary Care Practitioner’s Practice/Office. A counselor helps patients establish a good milk supply and manage their breastfeeding routine and provides instructions on the hand expression and pumping of breast milk. January 2017 Minimum of 300 hours of directly supervised lactation specific clinical practice within the five years immediately prior to examination application. September 2015 Breastfeeding Challenges and Common Problems, Contact the National Breastfeeding Helpline: 1-800-994-9662 (English and Spanish). Each of these (CLC, CLS, and CLE) have the following in common: Training: 45-hour course with test at the end, and certification upon passing), Scope of practice includes: Establishing good milk supply, helping mothers and babies with positioning and latch, giving mothers instructions on pumping and hand expression of milk, and other routine breastfeeding management, Needs to refer to IBCLC or Lactation Consultant when breastfeeding challenges fall outside of their scope of practice, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, - also known as IBCLC or "Lactation Consultant", Highest standard for breastfeeding credential, Training: A bachelor's degree in a health field, 1000 hours working with breastfeeding mothers, 90 lactation-specific continuing-education hours, passing the IBCLC Boards. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. CLC’s are required to obtain continuing education credits every 3 years to maintain their certification. This course is approved for 16 contact hours by the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association, which is accredited as an approver of continuing education in nursing by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. If they were employed by a hospital they may have ethical standards required of them by their employer. This is not the same as a treatment or care plan where an individual is providing or recommending treatment. There are 3 certifications that are structured very similarly: CLC, CLS, and CLE, - also known as CLC, or "Lactation Counselor", - also known as CLS or "Lactation Specialist". Reply. University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of California San Diego Extension, Georgia Northwestern Technical College-Rome, Run breastfeeding classes and support groups, Provide education on lactation, breastfeeding, and breastmilk, Work in hospitals, clinics or private practice, Evaluate the breastfeeding dyad to help a client understand whether the baby is effectively transferring milk from the breast, Assist in utilizing breastfeeding and pumping supplies, Explore the options available if they are experiencing breastfeeding problems, Explain the symptoms for a range of breastfeeding problems, Provide referrals for medical diagnosis or treatment, Maternity units in hospitals and birth centers. Because there is no recognized standard for lactation specialist training, each course is very different. You could go and see the doctor and ask them to take a look.

An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) is a healthcare professional who specializes in the clinical management of breastfeeding. More than 80% of these babies were breastfed or given expressed breastmilk at some point. Continuing education credits are required to keep the license current. One of the most common questions we are asked about CBI’s Lactation Counselor course is the difference between a Lactation Counselor and a Lactation Consultant. Board. To reach their breastfeeding goals, mothers need continuity of care, which is achieved by consistent, collaborative, and high-quality breastfeeding services and support.
The IBCLC designation is awarded by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE).

There are many similarities between breastfeeding educators and lactation consultants, such as the actual lactation work they help new mothers with and the tips and advice they give on the breastfeeding process. For example, both a Lactation Counselor and an IBCLC, could say: You mentioned that you have some nipple pain. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Preparing a treatment or care plan is a nursing task. The scope of practice includes everything that a counselor does plus helping mothers with infant breastfeeding and maternal challenges, such as congenital defects, excessive newborn weight loss, and infant NICU admissions. counselor” and “lactation consultant” do not designate any difference in ability.

There are 3 certifications that are structured very similarly: CLC, CLS, and CLE. The course length varies from one program to the next.

The CBI Lactation Counselor course provides 130 hours of lactation-specific education and this can be used for the lactation education requirement for IBCLC. Lactation Consultants/Breastfeeding Counselors– Your local hospital, pregnancy center or health department may have people on staff that are called “Lactation Consultants” or Breastfeeding Counselors. March 2016
One guideline is to look at the number of hours of education that are provided, together with the course syllabus. One of the major focuses of an IBCLC is global health and altering the importance, effects, and stigma regarding breastfeeding and breastmilk. This can be confusing. Discounts are offered for early bird registration and group registration. April 2016 Completion of six continuing education health science courses (medical terminology, basic life support, medical documentation, occupational safety, professional ethics, Completion of at least five hours in communication skills, Successful completion of the exam (closed book) with 175 multiple choice questions, support a parent with establishing lactation or lactation challenges, work in hospitals, clinics or private practice, evaluate the parent-baby dyad to help a client understand whether the baby is effectively transferring milk, explore the options available to a client if they are experiencing feeding problems, explain the symptoms for a range of problems (because of the more extensive experience an IBCLC may have, they may be able to understand and explain a wider range of problems than a lactation counselor), together with the client, develop a feeding plan, provide a client with referrals for medical diagnosis or treatment. According to the Certified Lactation Counselor training course curriculum, information covered includes: The CLC certification is open to a wide range of individuals. To learn more about Compensation Estimates, please see our CBI offers the Safety and Infection Control and Prevention course to meet one of these requirements. The US Lactation Consultant Association urges broad understanding of the distinctions among lactation care providers. Download our comparison of training organizations providing lactation-specific education. Examples include NICU admission for infants, hyperbilirubinemia, congenital defects, oral/motor dysfunction and excess infant weight loss; for mothers examples include: breast abscess, induced lactation, mastitis, breast surgeries and anomalies. October 2015 90 hours of lactation specific education (e.g., 300-1000 hours clinical hours supporting lactation (hours differ depending on the pathway chosen), Completion of one academic semester in eight health science courses at an accredited higher education institution (unless a nurse, midwife, doctor etc.). There are three pathways for individuals that want to become an IBCLC. Some courses will provide 90 hours or more, while others will provide 45 hours or less. The Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) certification identifies a professional in lactation counseling who has demonstrated the necessary skills, knowledge, and attitudes to provide clinical breastfeeding counseling and management support to families who are thinking about breastfeeding or who have questions or problems during the course of breastfeeding/lactation. An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) is a recognition of education and experience. CBC=Certified Breastfeeding Counselor By clicking the button above, I agree to the ZipRecruiter Terms of Use and acknowledge I have read the Privacy Policy, and agree to receive email job alerts. A Certified Breastfeeding Counselor (CBC) certification is a specialty certification designed for individuals that recognize the specialty role of the nurse as a counselor and educator in lactation management.