Lactation Matters

At ILCA, all of our advocacy work is defined by our overarching goal: sustainable policy change so that more children survive and thrive through breastfeeding/chestfeeding and so that skilled lactation care is valued globally. The advocacy strategy was shared with our community by advocacy advisor Michele Griswold at the recent All General Meeting at the […]

The evidence is now stronger than ever: breastfeeding is critically important for women and children in both high- and low-income countries. Increasing the rates of breastfeeding worldwide will help countries to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—including Goal 5 on gender equality and women’s empowerment. Breastfeeding is a woman’s right and empowers women as mothers, […]

ILCA would like to thank Michele Griswold, PhD, MPH, RN, IBCLC, for her service as the ILCA Advocacy Advisor to the Board of Directors. During her time in this new role for ILCA, she has helped to shape this position and has created a vision and strategy that will help advance breastfeeding worldwide and elevate […]

How can new research inform how lactation consultants support women who are breastfeeding and who have experienced childhood sexual abuse? The Journal of Human Lactation article, Breastfeeding in Women Having Experienced Childhood Sexual Abuse, aims to “investigate experiences with breastfeeding in women with a history of [Childhood Sexual Abuse (CSA)].” Find three key takeaways we […]

The International Lactation Consultant Association® (ILCA®) is proud to celebrate Black Breastfeeding Week (25 August – 31 August).  This year’s theme is “The World Is Yours: Imagine. Innovate. Liberate.”  Black Breastfeeding Week consists of a series of online and face-to-face activities. Check out their website and social media profiles (including their Facebook page here) for […]

World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) is an annual celebration of the role of breastfeeding in our homes, our communities, and the world.  As a part of our 2019 theme, Empower Parents, Enable Breastfeeding, we are proud to announce that Journal of Human Lactation (JHL) is making available 5 essential articles to everyone – FREE* through 31 August […]

Happy World Breastfeeding Week! International Lactation Consultant Association® (ILCA®) is excited to join World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) and other organizations and individuals the world over in celebrating #WBW2019. The theme of World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) 2019 is Empower Parents, Enable Breastfeeding. ILCA will feature resources throughout the week of 1-7 August to help you make the […]

How do we make sure that the world knows about the impact and value of skilled lactation care? By educating the community at the world’s largest gathering on the health, rights, and well-being of women and girls. ILCA president Mudiwah Kadeshe recently presented at a side event at Women Deliver. Also in attendance at the […]

As skilled lactation professionals, we are committed to evidence-based practice but how can we also apply evidence to advocacy efforts for the families in our care? ILCA is currently working to ensure that a number of advocacy efforts are informed and supported by both the available research and the expertise of our IBCLC members. One […]

Join Us for the #ILCA19 Virtual Conference! Earn up to 12 Continuing Education Units on the topics you need most.Build the conference you need: In addition to the scheduled sessions, select an credit from our on-demand learning in the Knowledge Center.Participate LIVE 26 – 27 July or watch on YOUR time – 60 full days […]

The path to equity is a journey, not a destination. I am here to tell you that this crossing may be uncomfortable at times, however, the International Lactation Consultant Association® (ILCA®) is deeply committed to walking it together, with you, our members and the lactation support community. Progress on this passage will be marked by […]

As one of the leading experts on assisting infants with anatomical, genetic, or neurological challenges to feed, we at Lactation Matters are thrilled to talk with Cathy Watson Genna, IBCLC. As the author of two essential books for lactation professionals (Selecting and Using Breastfeeding Tools: Improving Care and Outcomes and Supporting Sucking Skills in Breastfeeding Infants), […]

The ILCA Board of Directors presents the following ballot for ILCA voting members to: select the next Board Secretary;ratify one Board member’s second term; and ratify the candidate for President-Elect. Balloting commences 24 April 2019 and concludes 08 May 2019, at which time all electronic votes will be tallied by the ILCA staff. All ILCA […]

Help us celebrate that the #ILCA18 conference is now available in the Knowledge Center by enjoying two conferences for one. For a very limited time, register for the #ILCA19 full in-person conference package and receive 60 days of online access to up to 19 select CERPs from #ILCA18.* Register now! By registering now, your in-person […]

ILCA continued its efforts to increase maternity protection, including advocacy for nursing breaks for mothers, at the recent International Labour Organization (ILO) Centennial Celebration. The ILO, founded 100 years ago, exists to set labor standards, develop policies and devise programs promoting decent work for all women and men. Established as the first specialized agency of […]

ENGAGE at ILCA’s 2019 Annual Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, United States on 24 – 27 July. How will #ILCA19 Change Your Practice? We asked past attendees and here is what they had to say: Learn from the leading experts around the globe. “I really appreciated the opportunity to learn at this conference. There was a […]

Learn hands-on skills at our pre-conference Clinical Skills Rotation! Participants will rotate between four skill stations, learning each skill from expert facilitators. All stations last 25 minutes, with 5 minutes between stations. Quickly learn new skills or practice techniques with your peers. Two Rotation options are available and are held as pre-conference sessions on Wednesday, […]

ILCA, a NetCode partner, is advocating for research that aims to measure exposure to human/breast milk substitute (BMS) marketing in more than 90 countries worldwide. The Demographic Health Survey program collects, analyzes and disseminates data to improve population health in more than 90 countries. Funded mainly by USAID, several surveys with various target populations measure […]

Do you provide care in the NICU setting? The Journal of Human Lactation has made a collection of articles, Human Milk in the NICU, free for a limited time.* Click the links below to access the articles now, available until 15 May 2019. Effect of Dedicated Lactation Support Services on Breastfeeding Outcomes in Extremely-Low-Birth-Weight Neonates […]

As a leading expert in the ethical, moral, and legal conundrums that lactation consultants face, we at Lactation Matters were thrilled to talk to Liz Brooks, JD, IBCLC, FILCA. As the author of the only textbook focusing on IBCLC ethics and law as well as chapters and articles in several texts and journals, we spoke with her about common issues IBCLCs face […]