Understanding Lactation Support Credentials
Breastfeeding support comes from a range of trained individuals with differing levels of education, clinical experience, and scope of practice. The credential letters you see after a professional’s name tell you something important about the type of training they have completed and the kinds of questions or challenges they are prepared to help with. Some support providers focus on education and encouragement, while others are qualified to assess and manage more complex lactation concerns. The chart below clarifies the most common lactation credentials you might encounter, what each means, the training required, and the kinds of support those professionals can provide, so you can make more informed choices about the help that is right for you.
| Title | Training | Prerequisite | Scope of Practice | For more information |
| Professional IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) | • 90 hours of lactation-specific education plus level health science courses • 300-1000 clinical practice hours • Successful completion of an international exam scored by an independent board plus recertification every 5-10 years | Health professional or successful completion of 14 health science courses | Perform comprehensive clinical consultations, assessing for breastfeeding problems. On staff at hospitals, birthing centers, clinics and private practice. Expected to be able to help mothers with a wide variety of breastfeeding challenges. | On training and credentialing: www.iblce.org To find an IBCLC: http://www.ilca.org/why-ibclc/falc |
| Certified (Certified Lactation Counselor, Certified Lactation Educator, etc) | • 16-95 hours of classroom training • Successful completion of an exam offered by the training organization | Varies by pathway | Qualified to assist with basic breastfeeding challenges. May hold this certification in addition to other healthcare credentials. May refer to other breastfeeding professionals for issues outside scope of practice. | On CLC: http://www.healthychildren.cc/ On CLE: |
| Peer (Mother-to-Mother Peer Counselor, La Leche League Leader, Breastfeeding USA Counselor) | • Approximately 18-50 hours of training • May be self-directed and take 6-12 months | Personal breastfeeding experience of at least 6-12 months, depending on the organization | Provide information, encouragement and support to mothers. May refer to other breastfeeding professionals for issues outside scope of practice. | On WIC Peer Counselors: On Breastfeeding USA: https://breastfeedingusa.org/ |
Who’s Who? A glance at breastfeeding support in the United States
Landscape of Breastfeeding Support
