Lactation Matters

Research tells us that the overwhelming majority of mothers want to breastfeed, but they don’t always reach their breastfeeding goals. Less than half of newborns begin breastfeeding in the first hour of life, and only 44% of infants are exclusively breastfed at six months.1 One of the most significant challenges to improving breastfeeding rates worldwide […]

Friday, 21 May 2021 marks the 40th anniversary of the adoption of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes (the Code) by the 34th World Health Assembly. Show your support for the implementation and monitoring of these critical efforts to limit the aggressive and predatory marketing of breastmilk substitutes, including commercial milk formula. Change […]

How would it change your practice if you learned that just about everything you think you know about the lingual frenulum is wrong?   New research to be presented at the International Lactation Consultant Association’s Annual Conference in Texas in July suggests exactly that, with serious implications for lactation professionals’ work. As a Pediatric ENT Consultant […]

The perspective of each IBCLC is unique. Your viewpoint is shaped by whether you practice in the community, in a health-care facility, or as a researcher. In your region of the world, you may hold a different vantage point based on the cultural needs and practices of the families that you serve. And yet there […]

What do you do when your job is to help breastfeeding families in your local area—but your local area comprises three states, two countries, and two languages? If you’re Elsa Quintana, you become an expert in collaboration—in envisioning it, in building it, and in funding it. Quintana, BA, IBCLC, BCJ, works at the intersection of […]

The Journal of Human Lactation (JHL) is soliciting manuscripts for their February 2022 special issue on a wide variety of topics pertaining to laws and policies related to infant and young child feeding.  Submissions can include original research, literature reviews, case studies, and insights into practice and policy. Examples of topics include, but are not […]

If an IBCLC® you knew helped a client with a history of breast cancer induce lactation for an adopted infant, wouldn’t you want to hear the story? How about if a friend had been involved in a study measuring COVID-19 antibodies in human milk during the newborn phase? Definitely a great story to hear! Case […]

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 […]

It would be difficult to think of a year when being an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant® (IBCLC®) has been so challenging—or so important. In 2021, birthing and lactating families all over the world have faced unprecedented hurdles as they’ve brought their babies into the world amid the COVID-19 pandemic. They have needed the help […]

Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, a troubling trend emerged—as hospitals struggled to understand the new risk, birthing parents and their infants were routinely being separated. Parents were told not to breastfeed or chestfeed, or counseled to only feed expressed milk. Babies were spending the first days of their lives unable to be in contact with […]

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 2021 on 3 March – is an opportunity to honor how IBCLCs transform world health by providing skilled lactation care. (Find other ways to celebrate IBCLC […]

In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, one issue quickly rose to the surface for birthing families and their providers. Considering the new risks, could parents and their infants safely remain together? It was a scary time for birthing parents and those who support them, as stories of painful separation abounded from areas around […]

As information is rapidly unfolding about the new mRNA COVID vaccines and lactating families, we sat down with Dr. Lori Feldman-Winter to help our community get the information they need to support those with questions right now. Dr. Lori Feldman-Winter is a fellow in the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM) and helped to bring their […]

With countries in the process of authorizing distribution of the first COVID-19 vaccines, lactation consultants may have questions about accessing the immunization as well as available safety information for breastfeeding and chestfeeding clients. In this rapidly changing environment, ILCA is continuing to gather and disseminate international and regional updates about lactation-related COVID information here. Please […]

Looking for ways to promote the IBCLC® profession? ILCA has blog posts, infographics, and videos that you can share to help others learn about how IBCLCs transform world health. Here are seven ways you can share materials on social media. Each share makes a difference! Together we can educate our communities about who IBCLCs are, […]

After receiving expert, skilled support from IBCLCs around early infant feeding questions and concerns, many parents return with questions as the time for starting solid foods approaches. An increasing number of questions over the past decade have been about Baby-Led Weaning – is it safe? When can it begin? What are trusted resources for learning […]

Patients and providers frequently turn to IBCLCs with questions and concerns about chest/breast and nipple pain, plugged ducts, mastitis, and engorgement. Whether it is a patient newly postpartum who is so engorged the baby cannot latch, one who is experiencing recurrent plugged ducts, or one who is exhausted having sought out treatment after treatment for […]

At this year’s All General Meeting, International Lactation Consultant Association® (ILCA®) members shared questions with the board and staff. We were able to address most of your questions during the meeting, but were not able to get to all of them due to time constraints. Following the meeting, we reached out to board and staff […]

Congratulations to the 2020 IBCLC Care Award recipients! In the midst of these unusual times, we thank you for your consistent dedication to promoting, supporting, and protecting breastfeeding by hiring IBCLCs and implementing projects and training that support high-quality lactation care.  What are the IBCLC Care Awards? Hospital-Based Facilities and Community-Based Health Agencies that staff […]

People with disabilities are experienced at adapting to a world that is largely designed without considering their unique needs. Breastfeeding and chestfeeding parents are no different. As new parents, those with disabilities capably develop strategies to meet their breastfeeding goals.  As lactation providers, it is our obligation to familiarize ourselves with the unique needs of […]