In most cases, breastfeeding gets off to a very good start. After all, it's natural! However, there are times when a breastfeeding mother needs a little help. Most problems are avoidable or manageable. Early intervention can make all the difference to breastfeeding success.

In 1985, a new allied health team member was created when the very first lactation consultants were board certified. A few years earlier, a task force was organized to set criteria for attaining this new health certification. After extensive planning and work, an examination was written to thoroughly test candidates in many areas. Candidates were tested in anatomy, physiology, child development, nutrition, ethics and many other areas. The certification is called an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). Since 1985, thousands of lactation consultants have been certified by the credentialing agency, the IBLCE (International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners).

There are many different pathways, but the most frequent path is to work with breastfeeding mothers, either as a breastfeeding counselor or through a hospital setting. Candidates must spend between 900 (MD) and 8,000 hours working with breastfeeding mothers in order to meet the criteria for sitting for the exam. The primary pathway requires 2,500 clinical hours plus a bachelor's degree. Sometimes candidates get their experience through volunteering, or they may work in a hospital or under direct supervision of another IBCLC. Candidates must attend 30 hours of approved breastfeeding education courses. Then they are eligible to sit for a 200 question exam. The exam is given once yearly (the last Monday in July) in many locations all over the world. If they pass, they are entitled to use the credential, IBCLC. Every five years, IBCLCs must be recertified, either through educational hours or by retaking the examination. Every 10 years, they must retake the examination.

When you choose a lactation consultant who has earned the credential of IBCLC, you are choosing someone who has met the rigid guidelines of the IBLCE and has passed the extensive exam. Those healthcare providers are the only ones who are allowed to carry the initials IBCLC after their names. There are other types of lactation consultants, who may also be helpful, but until they have passed the "gold standard" set by the IBLCE, you cannot be assured of their knowledge base.

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