Elevating and Enhancing the IBCLC | |
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International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) provide vital support to breastfeeding families across the globe—and we are pleased to share the many ways IBLCE® is working to highlight the important work of IBCLCs and to enhance the programme now and for the future.
To kick off World Breastfeeding Week in August, IBLCE hosted IBCLC Appreciation Day on August 1, 2024. On social media, we were overwhelmed by the IBCLC® pride—with thousands sharing why they became an IBCLC, celebrating IBCLCs who helped them on their breastfeeding and professional journeys, and entering a fun giveaway just for IBCLCs. IBLCE also continues to spotlight the IBCLC as the gold standard of lactation care in media interviews (find highlights here!), as well as in articles on LinkedIn.
IBLCE also continues to invest in the IBCLC programme, to better serve our stakeholders and fulfil our mission to serve the global public interest by advancing professional practice in lactation consultation and support through credentialing. We are pleased to spotlight a number of recent and upcoming enhancements to the IBCLC programme:
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As of May 2024, IBLCE’s online credential management system is now available in all ten IBCLC examination languages to streamline examination and recertification applications for our global audience. Learn more about using the system here.
- To allow for more options to sit the examination, Live Remote Proctoring is now available in both English and Spanish. We continue to work with our testing vendor to add additional language options for the future.
- After surveying our stakeholders, IBLCE is working to implement digital certificates, allowing for a streamlined experience and the ability to more easily share the achievement of earning the IBCLC! Find more details below.
There is more in store as we continually work to improve this important certification programme that benefits so many families around the world. Please check back on the IBLCE and IBCLC Commission websites and IBLCE social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) for more exciting updates.
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IBLCE at the Table at the Annual Partner Meeting of the Global Breastfeeding Collective | |
Incoming Board Chair Bayyinah Muhammad recently represented IBLCE at the Annual Meeting of the Global Breastfeeding Collective (GBC) in Istanbul, Türkiye. The GBC, led by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), is a group of just 28 prominent international agencies which advocate for investments in breastfeeding, assist policymakers and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) implement solutions, and facilitate public support to achieve results in increased rates of breastfeeding for children, families, and nations. Find out more about the GBC, access the Global Breastfeeding Scorecard, and follow the GBC’s latest News and Events on the GBC website. | |
IBLCE Leadership Transitions | |
Neelam Jawad, MBBS, MCPS, IBCLC, originally from Pakistan, and more recently of Dubai, United Arab Emirates and Texas, USA, was elected by the Board as Chair-Elect for the organisation and will rotate into the position of Chair after a one-year term in her new role. Hairin Anisa Binti Tajuddin, Master of Paediatric & IBCLC, of Johor Bahru, Malaysia, was elected to serve as IBLCE’s Treasurer, and Public Member Kristi Salisbury, CDM, CFPP, RD, of Minnesota, USA was elected as Senior Board Member. | |
Neelam Jawad, Chair-Elect | |
Hairin Anisa Binti Tajuddin, Treasurer | |
Kristi Salisbury, Public Member | |
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Great thanks to Brooke Gilliam, BSN, RN, IBCLC, of North Carolina, USA who has concluded a successful year as IBLCE Chair and now transitions into the role of Immediate Past Chair.
Tremendous thanks are also due to Mona Sakr, MBBS, MSc, IBCLC who completed her term as Immediate Past Chair and Marin Skariah, MSN, FNP-BC, NEA-BC, RNC-MNN, C-EFM, IBCLC, who advanced the organisation during her tenure on the IBLCE Board.
IBLCE deeply appreciates each and every one of these individuals for their leadership!
IBLCE is also pleased to announce the two new members on the IBLCE Board: Regina Piper, RN, IBCLC, of Illinois, USA, and Yeva Posner, RN, BSN, IBCLC, originally of Ukraine and more recently of New York, USA.
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Regina Piper, IBLCE Board Member | |
Yeva Posner, IBLCE Board Member | |
For more information on the IBLCE Board, visit the IBLCE website. | |
Promoting the IBCLC in Ireland | |
Carole Iffinger at the IBLCE booth | |
IBLCE was delighted to be present at the National Conference of the Association of Lactation Consultants in Ireland (ALCI) on October 4-5 in Cork, Ireland. This year's conference held special significance as ALCI's 35th anniversary was celebrated! The conference brought together approximately 200 IBCLCs, healthcare professionals, educators, and advocates from Ireland, the UK, Austria, Portugal, Germany, Australia, Malta, Iceland, Canada, and the USA. Director of Operations for Europe, the Middle East & North Africa, Carole Iffinger, and the IBLCE Coordinator Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, Nicola Clarke, IBCLC, attended and shared a wealth of information about the IBCLC. | |
IBCLC Certification and Recertification in 2025 | |
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The IBCLC examination is offered twice a year, in March and/or April (English) and in September (in the 10 IBCLC examination languages).
Mark your calendar now! The schedule for application and administration of the 2025 IBCLC examination is as follows:
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April 2025 IBCLC Examination (English only) | |
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Application Window: Opening mid-November to January 6, 2025
Examination Administration Window: April 1 – 10, 2025
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September 2025 IBCLC Examination (10 IBCLC Examination Languages) | |
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Application Window: Opening mid-May 2025
Examination Administration Window: September 9 – 18, 2025
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NOTE: The IBCLC Commission approved the use of Live Remote Proctoring (LRP) for the IBCLC examination moving forward. | |
2025 Recertification by CERPs (17 IBLCE Languages) | |
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The CE Self-Assessment became available in 17 languages in March 2023 to IBCLCs due to recertify in 2025.
Deadline to Apply: September 30, 2025
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Find more key dates here. | |
New Requirement Effective 2025: Two (2) Hours of WHO Code Education | |
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As shared in previous IBLCE Briefings, beginning in 2025, all candidates certifying, recertifying, or reinstating will be required to take two (2) hours of education specific to the World Health Organization International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes:
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For Initial certification: Candidates are required to earn 90 hours of lactation specific education, as well as five (5) hours of education focused on communication skills. Two (2) of the lactation specific hours should be focused on the WHO Code to meet this new requirement.
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For Recertification by CERPs: IBCLCs choosing to recertify by CERPs are required to submit 75 CERPs, five (5) of which are required to be E-CERPs. Two (2) of these five (5) E-CERPs hours should be focused on the WHO Code to meet this requirement.
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For Recertification by examination: Two (2) hours of education focused on the WHO Code must be submitted, along with all other existing recertification by examination requirements.
Learn more to prepare for IBCLC certification or recertification in 2025:
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Digital Certificates: Transition in Progress | |
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As announced in the May 2024 Briefing, we are transitioning to digital IBCLC certificates. This change is based on your feedback from the 2023 IBLCE customer experience survey, where a significant majority of IBCLCs in all languages indicated that they would like to receive a digital certificate more immediately rather than a paper certificate. We are pleased to be able to deliver certificates digitally moving forward.
IBCLC certificates will go out in groups, and you will receive an email with more details before your group receives their certificates. Here is the anticipated release schedule:
- April 2024 IBCLC examination candidates will receive the first digital certificates in November/December 2024.
- IBCLCs who recertified by CERPs in 2024 will follow, anticipated by the end of 2024.
- More information about subsequent groups will follow.
Digital certificates will allow for some exciting new options, including the ability to share on LinkedIn and other platforms, an IBCLC badge for easy use in signature lines, and more. This will be a great new tool to show that you hold the IBCLC! Please note that moving forward paper certificates will be available but only by request for a fee.
Watch your inbox for more news regarding digital certificates as your group of new or recertifying IBCLCs approaches!
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IBCLC Commission Leadership Updates | |
IBLCE is delighted to announce the 2024-25 IBCLC Commission, comprising strong volunteer leaders who reflect the diversity of the IBCLC community inclusive of practice setting, professional experience, educational background, and geographic location. | |
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Portia L. Williams, RN, BSN, IBCLC, RLC, of Louisiana, USA, has transitioned from Vice Chair into the role of Chair of the IBCLC Commission.
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After a successful term as the inaugural IBCLC Commission Chair, Deborah E. Schoch, PhD, RNC, IBCLC, CPST, of New Jersey, USA, will now serve as Immediate Past Chair. Thank you for your leadership on the new IBCLC Commission!!
Joining the Commission this year are Lisa Adair, IBCLC, RN, of Dubai, UAE; Amrita Desai, IBCLC, LCCE, Master of Dietetics, of Pashan, India; and Daissy Torres, IBCLC, MHA, of Virginia, USA.
Finally, in addition to Portia Williams, thank you to returning Commissioners: Public Member Christina Porucznik, PhD, MSPH, of Utah, USA, and Janvier Rwamwejo, MD, MSPH, IBCLC, of Kigali, Rwanda.
Many thanks to Sarah Brinkworth, RM, BSc Hons Midwifery, DipHE Adult Nursing, IBCLC and to Rachel Lee, RD, LDN, IBCLC, for their service to the Commission. Sarah is stepping back due to family commitments and Rachel served a one-year term to the Commission so as to stagger terms as the Commission was established. We thank both for their many contributions to the Commission!
Pursuant to Commission guiding documents, a liaison from the IBLCE Board will be appointed in the near future.
More information about the IBCLC Commission is available online.
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IBCLC Commission Chair Presents at La Leche League International (LLLI) Conference | |
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Inaugural IBCLC Commission Chair Deborah E. Schoch PhD, RNC, IBCLC, CPST presented at LLLI’s online conference on October 14. The conference celebrated the launch of the 9th edition of The Art of Breastfeeding. At the conference, Deborah discussed how La Leche League leaders, or other Recognised Breastfeeding Support Counsellors, can use their experience to become IBCLCs via Pathway 1 and also participated in a live Facebook Q&A session for those interested in learning more.
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Monetary Investment for Lactation Consultant Certification® (MILCC®) News | |
The JoAnne W. Scott Scholarship: Uplifting Peer-to-Peer Support Providers | |
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“As a La Leche League Leader, I always wanted to learn more to help the community moms. At the time I applied for the MILCC JoAnne W. Scott (JWS) scholarship, I was the sole financial support of our family of four. MILCC and the JWS scholarship enabled me to achieve my goal to become an IBCLC. Now I am the State Breastfeeding Coordinator in my state's health department. MILCC enabled me to bring my real-world experience and lactation know-how into the public health arena where I've been able to elevate human milk feeding in policy and practice.
As a former scholarship recipient and now a proud Board member of MILCC, I want to encourage and invite you to support our mission to support and uplift aspiring IBCLCs. Our commitment to creating a more accessible path to the IBCLC is more important than ever. By supporting MILCC, you are helping to pave the way for future IBCLCs who will support lactating families of the future.”
— Jarene Fleming, IBCLC, and 2014 JoAnne W. Scott Scholarship Recipient, Virginia, USA
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Follow MILCC for the latest updates: | |
Global Centre for Lactation Training (GCLT) TM News | |
Centre Webinar Screened for Thousands of Human Resource Professionals Around the Globe | |
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In order to encourage innovative breastfeeding-friendly workplaces and facilitate awareness of the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections (“PUMP”) Act, the Centre recently collaborated with the Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI), a leading credentialing organisation in the human resources profession, screening before over 2,200 human resource professionals worldwide the virtual presentation, “Beyond Compliance: Innovative Solutions for Breastfeeding Friendly Workplaces.”
Attendees hailed from around the globe including such diverse locations as Nigeria, Azerbaijan, Ghana, Kenya, India, Oman, Mexico, St. Lucia, Kuwait, Cameroon, Tanzania, the UAE, and Canada, as well as from all over the United States. Interested participants included individuals from human resources (HR) departments in Fortune 500 companies as well as HR professionals in small firms.
Made available to HRCI on a complimentary basis and with the generous donation of time and expertise by an esteemed panel of experts, the webinar received enthusiastic participation and positive feedback from the HR professionals.
Through this offering, the Centre sought to raise awareness of the needs and appropriate accommodations for lactating employees in organisations both large and small.
You too can access this complimentary webinar which also offers bonus resources. Thank you for noting that while this webinar is informative in nature, it does not offer Continuing Education Recognition Points (CERPs) towards recertification, nor does it count towards IBCLC eligibility requirements. The webinar was conceptualised by the Centre and does not constitute an endorsement of any product or service.
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Looking for Quick Access to Quality Education & Training?
Access the Centre’s Offerings!
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Designed for a global audience, find these cost-effective educational offerings – with more in store – at www.gclt.org: | |
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Integrating Colostrum Harvesting into Prenatal Support
1.25 L-CERPs
(Domain VII: Clinical Skills)
+ Bonus Content
Learn more here
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Work, Milk, and Magic: Insights on the Realities of Working as an IBCLC while Breastfeeding
1 L-CERP
(Domain V: Psychology, Sociology, and Anthropology)
Learn more here
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Ethics in Lactation Research
1.5 E-CERPs
(Domain VII: Clinical Skills—Ethical and Legal Issues)
Learn more here
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Beyond Compliance: Innovative Solutions for Breastfeeding-Friendly Workplaces
COMPLIMENTARY
(Does NOT offer CERPs or count towards IBCLC eligibility requirements)
35 minutes + Bonus Resources
Learn more here
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Educational and training offerings by the Global Centre for Lactation Training (GCLT)™ are optional and are not the sole way to pursue IBCLC (re)certification. | |
This briefing is being translated and will be disseminated in all IBLCE languages in the immediate future. | |
Follow IBLCE on Social Media | | | | |
