The International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners® (IBLCE)® is the organisation serving the global public interest by advancing professional practice in lactation consultation and support through credentialing. The goals of the World Health Organization (WHO) International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes and subsequent World Health Assembly (WHA) resolutions are of importance to the International Board Certified Lactation Consultant® (IBCLC)® community as well as IBLCE & Affiliates.
Recently, several IBCLCs contacted IBLCE expressing concern about the activities of some fellow IBCLCs in relation to the WHO Code. IBLCE is currently working behind the scenes to address these concerns.
As candidates for the IBCLC and recertifying IBCLCs are aware, the IBCLC Detailed Content Outline includes the WHO Code. The Detailed Content Outline serves as the basis for the IBCLC examination as well as the Continuing Education Self-Assessment which the majority of IBCLCs take to recertify.
Additionally, IBLCE has taken a two-part strategic approach, emphasising awareness and education with respect to IBCLCs and the WHO Code.
First, as shared in IBLCE Briefings: IBLCE & Affiliates work to continue to strengthen their commitment to the WHO Code and emphasise its importance to the IBCLC community and the public.
In addition to steps taken previously (please refer to IBLCE Briefings), IBLCE has more recently:
- Convened a focus group of IBCLCs to facilitate dialogue and hear from IBCLCs about their experiences and thoughts regarding implementation of the WHO Code in a variety of situations and practice settings.
- Surveyed the IBCLC community around the world, in 17 languages, to gauge current understanding of the WHO Code and subsequent WHA resolutions.
- Consulted with a variety of experts related to the WHO Code within a global context.
- Implemented a WHO Code educational requirement for both candidates and recertifying IBCLCs to facilitate greater awareness and understanding of the WHO Code (with the change of structure, decision ratified by the IBCLC Commission).
- Included the requirement in the recently launched Preferred Provider Programme (as previously included in the Long- and Short-Term CERPs Provider Programme) that educational providers affirm that educational content submitted for CERPs is free of conflicts as defined by the WHO Code and subsequent WHA resolutions, including by programme speakers or sponsors.
A holistic review and update of the Code of Professional Conduct for IBCLCs is due to take place. While delayed on the roadmap due to the changing organisational structure of IBLCE as well as efforts associated with the IBCLC certification programme’s time-sensitive and successful reaccreditation, this is now slated to occur. Several of the more recent steps set forth in the bulleted list above will inform the comprehensive update. The review will take place by IBCLCs and members of the public with consideration of the diverse legal and regulatory environments in which IBCLCs practise. Further updates will be provided as they become available.
The second part of IBLCE’s strategic approach to the WHO Code and subsequent WHA resolutions is active participation in the Global Breastfeeding Collective (GBC). Convened by WHO and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and inclusive of a number of organisations with missions centred on advocacy, the GBC educates and informs on the WHO Code and subsequent WHA resolutions. IBLCE facilitates awareness and education through amplification of the influential work of the GBC and WHO, such as the annual Global Breastfeeding Report Card; educational webinars, including the recent “Implementing WBTi to Strengthen National Breastfeeding Policies”; and the influential report on digital marketing of breastmilk substitutes. IBLCE will continue to work with these leaders in infant feeding to advance the aims of the WHO Code.
IBLCE is committed to further strengthening its commitment to the WHO Code and will be sharing further updates.