Lactation Matters

Show your pride in transforming world health through skilled lactation care. Educate your community by changing your Facebook Profile Frame to celebrate IBCLC Day! This day – celebrated in 2020 on 4 March – is an opportunity to honor how IBCLCs transform world health by providing skilled lactation care. (Find other ways to celebrate IBCLC […]

The ILCA Board of Directors is pleased to ask ILCA voting members (those who are currently certified as an IBCLC®) to vote on the 2020 bylaws changes. The ILCA Board of Directors supports the proposed changes. Voting ILCA members are encouraged to make an informed decision after thoughtful consideration of the issues, before they visit […]

New understanding of how human milk affects the gut microbiome is helping to explain exactly how the benefits of human milk are achieved. We hear a lot these days about the gut microbiome—and with good reason. Evidence suggests that the bacteria in our gut influence virtually every aspect of our functioning, from our stress and […]

Your baby has not yet arrived, but you know you plan to breast- or chestfeed. What are the best ways to prepare? Below, International Board Certified Lactation Consultants® (IBCLCs®) share six top tips on how to get ready for the journey ahead. Taking these steps now will maximize your chances of meeting your breastfeeding goals. […]

Self-efficacy—most of us have heard the term. Similar to self-confidence, self-efficacy is the feeling you have when you see yourself as capable of accomplishing a goal, and you are pretty certain that you can succeed. You probably know intuitively that your client’s self-efficacy about breast- or chestfeeding is an important component of their success. But […]

Let potential clients know that your Hospital-Based Facility or Community-Based Agency recognizes the role of the International Board Certified Lactation Consultant® (IBCLC®) in protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding by applying for the IBCLC Care Award. The IBCLC Care Awards are promoted to new families and the general public which means your facility can enjoy the […]

On topics ranging from addressing disparities to trends in research on human milk exchange, our community tapped into the top-accessed resources of Journal of Human Lactation (JHL) nearly 180,000 times last year. As we wrap up 2019, we compiled this list of the year’s top ten most accessed JHL articles. Planning on using research to guide […]

Families often do not know the difference between infant formula and toddler milks. According to UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO), advertising and promotion of toddler or follow-up milks is a way to circumvent the protections provided by the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes (International Code). These toddler or follow-up milks are […]

Guest post by Journal of Human Lactation Editor in Chief, Joan Dodgson, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN The aim of state of the science literature reviews that Journal of Human Lactation (JHL) features in our August issue is to provide an up-to-date picture of what is well established in a particular aspect of lactation and to […]

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 […]