IBCLC stands for International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. There are several other initials out there that can be super confusing to parents looking for help when they are interested in breastfeeding/chestfeeding or have already had a baby and need further help.
An IBCLC is the highest level of education for someone interested in helping families with breastfeeding. IBCLC's work in a variety of settings including hospitals, doctors offices and private practice. To make it just a tad more confusing is the difference between IBCLC's in these different settings.
Private practice is the only setting in which it allows the IBCLC to dive in the deepest for helping parents as long as needed and without restraint of time or information. The IBCLC in private practice is setting their own schedule so can make sure to dedicate the time needed for each individual family. They are able to make referrals to other health care providers based on what that unique family needs to meet their breastfeeding/chestfeeding and parenting goals and are not limited by policies that particular institutions may set.
Check out the resources below for more information. Knowledge empowers parents to make informed decisions and we all want to choose what is right for us!
What is an IBCLC? https://www.ilca.org/why-ibclc/ibclc
What do all those initials mean? https://uslca.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/2-page-Whos-Who.pdf
