FAQs

What is an ibclc?

An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) is an internationally recognized healthcare professional specializing in the clinical management of breastfeeding and lactation. The IBCLC credential is the highest credential in lactation care and is internationally recognized. In order to obtain the IBCLC credential, one must complete college-level health science courses, 90+ hours of lactation specific training, and 300-1,000 clinical hours hands on helping families.

What is your professional experience?

I completed the IBCLC examination in September of 2025 and earned by IBCLC certification. In order to be eligible for this exam, I completed a 95 hour lactation specific course and core Health Science courses. I spent 550 hours interning in the postpartum unit of a local hospital providing lactation support to families, in addition to seeing patients outside of the hospital for prenatal and postpartum support. I have experience teaching prenatal courses.

what is your personal breastfeeding experience?

My first child was born via scheduled c-section at 39 weeks. While I had planned to exclusively breastfeed him, I did not seek out any prenatal courses or education on breastfeeding prior to his delivery as I assumed it would come easily. By our 2nd night in the hospital, our son had lost a significant amount of weight. I was lucky to find an IBCLC to help me navigate these early days and set me up for a positive breastfeeding experience.

My second and third children (twins) were born at 35 weeks and immediately sent to the NICU. They spent their first two weeks of life in the NICU. Both twins started on nasal gastric feeding, graduated to bottle feeding and eventually graduated to exclusive breastfeeding. I was blessed to have the same great IBCLC to help me through every stage of this experience.

My fourth child was born at 39 weeks via c-section, he was a champ at breastfeeding, but refused to accept a bottle from the very first offer. Back to the IBCLC I went to develop a plan for feedings when I was away,