Beginning Monday, January 26, 2026, anticipated inclement weather in the Washington, D.C. metro area may affect response times to IBLCE communications as, depending on the impact to internet service providers, the phone and email system for Americas & Israel location (AMS) staff may be affected or temporarily non-operational.
IBLCE staff are monitoring conditions and appreciate your patience during this time.
Thank you for understanding.
The International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE®) wishes to inform our candidates, certificants, and partners of an official change of address.
Effective December 10, 2025, IBLCE’s new mailing address is:
3120 Fairview Park Drive, Ste 720, Falls Church, VA 22042
Please update your records accordingly and learn more here.
The International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE®) wishes to inform our candidates, certificants, and partners of an official change of address.
Effective December 10, 2025, IBLCE’s new mailing address is:
3120 Fairview Park Drive, Ste 720, Falls Church, VA 22042
Please update your records accordingly. All future correspondence, including mailed documents and forms, should be sent to the new address, and existing correspondence already in transit will be forwarded. Please contact the region that serves you if you have any concerns.
IBLCE’s phone numbers, email addresses, and other contact information remain unchanged.
Please note that we will be working to update the new address throughout our websites and online materials over the next few weeks, so you may observe some temporary discrepancies while this is in progress.
Thank you for your attention to this update and for your continued support of the IBLCE mission.
If you have any questions, please contact the region that serves you.
The federal government shutdown has halted funding for many vital programmes—including the Hospitals Promoting Breastfeeding program at the CDC, the only line item in the federal budget explicitly dedicated to breastfeeding support.
Congress can prevent disruption of local programmes to support mothers and babies by ensuring the Hospitals Promoting Breastfeeding line item is included in the next emergency appropriation or continuing resolution.
The online credential management system has an improved appearance. Over the last several months, IBLCE’s database provider has been working behind the scenes to improve the online credential management system. Users still have access to all the important information about the examination, credentials, and certificates, but now with a more streamlined, accessible user experience.
Come celebrate World Breastfeeding Week with us at IBLCE and our wonderful 2024-2025 Chair, Bayyinah Muhammad! We want to take a moment to express our heartfelt thanks to all the IBCLCs out there for the amazing support they provide to breastfeeding families everywhere. Your work makes a difference!
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:
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.
In honour of IBCLC Appreciation Day on August 1, 2024, various IBLCE Board members and IBCLCs had the opportunity to make media appearances and discuss the importance of the credential, the value of breastfeeding, and the impact that IBCLCs have on parents and babies as the gold standard of lactation care.
Check out their interviews below!
Brooke Gilliam, BSN, RN, IBCLC
Chair, IBLCE Board
Bayyinah Muhammad, MSN, CNM, WHNP-BC, IBCLC
Chair-Elect, IBLCE Board
Kristi Salisbury, CDM, CFPP, RD
Treasurer & Public Member, IBLCE Board
Regina Maria Roig-Romero, MPH, IBCLC
Portia Williams, RN, BSN, IBCLC, RLC
Vice Chair, IBCLC Commission
As IBCLC Appreciation Day and World Breastfeeding Week kick off around the globe, IBCLCs are celebrating by sharing why being an IBCLC is so special and impactful!
Karen Bøhrnsen, RM, BSc & MSc in Midwifery, IBCLC
IBLCE Coordinator Denmark
Alejandra Gutiérrez, MD, IBCLC
IBLCE Coordinator Mexico
Kimberly Marshall, RN, BSN, IBCLC
2022 Dr. Clifton J. Kenon, Jr. Scholar
Allyson Wessells, PT, IBCLC
IBLCE Research Committee Member
You can participate, too—here are some prompts to help you share your “why”:
Don’t forget to tag IBLCE so we can share in the IBCLC pride!
IBLCE is excited to host this special day of recognition for IBCLCs worldwide!
To kick off World Breastfeeding Week, IBCLC Appreciation Day celebrates the invaluable contributions of IBCLCs worldwide. These dedicated professionals provide the highest quality of breastfeeding care, combining compassion and expertise to support families.
IBCLCs play a vital role in maternal and infant health. Their rigorous training equips them with the skills to address both simple and complex lactation issues, helping families receive excellent care. More than 37,000 IBCLCs work daily to advance health equity, educate families about breastfeeding, and advocate for policies that support breastfeeding families’ unique needs.
August 1, 2024, is the day to thank them.
It’s important to celebrate and raise awareness about the work IBCLCs do. Here are a few ideas for organisations and IBCLCs to get involved:
1. Use our toolkit to inspire activities. IBLCE’s comprehensive toolkit is filled with ideas and customisable materials to make celebrating IBCLCs easy, like:
2. Spread the word. Use social media to spotlight IBCLCs by sharing photos, stories, and messages of gratitude. Encourage your family and friends to join the discussion. Post using #ThanksIBCLCs and #IBCLCAppreciationDay!
