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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!

You can participate, too—here are some prompts to help you share your “why”:

• I became an IBCLC because…
• My proudest moment as an IBCLC has been…
• You might not know this about IBCLCs but…
• IBCLCs are important because…
• IBCLCs are [adjective]…

Don’t forget to tag IBLCE so we can share in the IBCLC pride!

• Facebook: International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE)
• Instagram: IBLCE
• LinkedIn: International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners® (IBLCE®)

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. 

Why We Celebrate

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.

Get Involved

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:

• Printable certificates
• Email templates
• Social media posts
• …and more!

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!

Wherever IBCLCs are in the world, they are committed to supporting breastfeeding families! The impact of IBCLCs continues to spread—there are over 37,000 IBCLCs now certified! IBCLCs, thank you today and every day for all you do to advance global public health!

IBLCE holds in its thoughts those in the Middle East who are experiencing fear, uncertainty, worry, and loss within their families and communities. Access information on breastfeeding in emergencies from the WHO, UNICEF, and the Global Breastfeeding Collective. 

IBLCE is grateful to those IBCLCs and other breastfeeding supporters providing care and support to so many families facing extraordinary difficulties during this profound time.

IBLCE has been following the recent news on X (formerly Twitter) and, in an abundance of caution, has made the determination to suspend activity on the platform. X’s new policy on biometric data does not align with IBLCE’s values and privacy policies and, therefore, we will be deactivating the IBLCE account on X effective immediately. 

To stay up to date with IBLCE news, we hope you will find us on one of the following platforms:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

Find the latest news on our affiliate websites:

• IBCLC Commission
• Monetary Investment for Lactation Consultant Certification (MILCC)
• IBCLC Care Award
• Global Centre for Lactation Training (GCLT) ^TM

Privacy and security are of importance to IBLCE, and this decision was made with this in mind.

The mission of the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners® (IBLCE®), a global organisation with, as of 2023, close to 36,000 International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) in 131 countries, serves the global public interest by advancing professional practice in lactation consultation and support through credentialing.  As set forth in the Diversity, Access, and Inclusion in Global Lactation Credentialing section of its website, IBLCE genuinely embodies diversity in professional lactation care.

The recent news from the US state of Georgia’s Supreme Court ruling brings an opportunity to highlight the importance of equity and access to lactation care globally. Education cost, insurance reimbursement, state and/or federal legislation, and many other variables impacting professional practice are set and managed independently of IBLCE.

While IBLCE neither supported, nor had involvement with, the recent Georgia licensure legislation which was the subject of this litigation, the organisation appreciates the dynamics of the case, and continues to progress initiatives that support the diversification of the lactation field worldwide. 

This year alone, IBLCE launched the Global Center for Lactation Training (GCLT) ^TM, an affiliated organisation that aims to make available credentialing products, services, and programming designed with a global perspective to meet a variety of professional goals and needs. Additionally, IBLCE’s affiliated organisation MILCC offers global scholarships to remove financial barriers to accessing the IBCLC credential.

IBLCE commends IBCLCs and other lactation support providers. It acknowledges and welcomes people with diverse educational and professional backgrounds, who provide lactation care and services across a spectrum of scopes of practice, celebrating the unique perspectives, skills, and expertise that can improve outcomes for breastfeeding families and meet the needs of diverse populations.

A culture of teamwork, respect, and mutual learning can only lead to better outcomes and a more comprehensive approach to lactation care worldwide.

IBLCE has transitioned to a Commission structure – and with this transition, we are in the process of expanding and enhancing our digital presence!

IBLCE is pleased to introduce the new IBCLC Commission website at www.ibclc-commission.org! This is the new home for all information related to the IBCLC programme, where you can:

• Learn about earning the IBCLC,
• Recertifying as an IBCLC,
• Code of Conduct, Ethics & Disciplinary, and other IBCLC documents,
• Log into and learn how to use the online credential management system, and
• Contact the region that serves you.

On the IBLCE website, you can find:

• The IBLCE Briefings,
• The IBCLC Practice Examination,
• The Career Centre,
• Information for CERPs Providers, and
• Links to all IBLCE affiliates, including the IBCLC Commission, the new Global Centre for Lactation Training (GCLT) ^TM, the Monetary Investment for Lactation Consultant Certification (MILCC), and the refreshed IBCLC Care Awards websites.