An Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) is a member of your health care team who has a specialist knowledge of, and primary focus on, breastfeeding. 

They are the consultants whom mothers and other health professionals turn to when skilled assistance is required. 

With a focus on preventive health care, IBCLCs encourage self-care, empowering parents to make their own decisions, prenatally and postnatally.

IBCLCs use a problem solving approach to provide appropriate information, recommendations and referrals. They work in a variety of settings.

IBCLCs have passed a rigorous certification exam and keep their knowledge and skills up to date through a compulsory recertification program. They are required to practice within a Code of Ethics.

A lactation consultation is a professional appointment with an IBCLC.  The consultation can take place either in your home or in an office setting. The initial session usually takes approximately 1-1/2 to 2 hours to complete.

Lactation consultation sessions include:

Taking a prenatal, birth, and feeding history.

Observation of a feeding; milk expression; appearance of the mother, her breast, the baby, and milk (if seen); pre- and post-feeding weights to measure volume of intake at the breast, and any other artifacts that may be pertinent.

A feeding assessment, where the consultant carefully and critically observes the baby's feeding cues, pre-feeding behaviors, and response to the feeding, as well as the ability to transfer milk – a complex, integrated activity.

Documenting the findings and composing a summary of the plan agreed upon by the mother and the consultant, which includes any referrals to other care providers and support services.

Giving a copy of the plan to the mother and reiterating follow-up arrangements.

Writing a summary and communication with pertinent health care providers. Conducting follow-up meetings and/or phone calls, as long as needed, with subsequent documentation and sharing of the plan.