New York Lactation
Consultant Association

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Credentials For Providers of Breastfeeding Care

The array of professionals and volunteers offering services to support breastfeeding can sometimes be confusing. Since the New York Lactation Consultant Association (NYLCA) is a professional organization for lactation consultants, the majority of our members have one or more credentials in lactation. Most of our members are International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) or are aspiring to become IBCLCs. Some members have training in lactation education or peer counseling, such as La Leche League Leaders. Some members have complementary credentials in perinatal support and education and other related fields of health care.

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NYLCA only uses the term lactation consultant to refer to IBCLCs.

NYLCA also recognizes that a wide variety of professionals and can provide breastfeeding support. Nevertheless, NYLCA is not responsible for certifying or monitoring the practices of lactation consultants, educators, peer counselors, or any other professionals that provide breastfeeding support. Instead, NYLCA requires that service providers meet certain standards for listing their services on this website.

Parent Advisory: The term "lactation consultant" is not trade marked. Anyone can claim to be a lactation consultant. No one, however, can rightfully claim to be an International "Board Certified" Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) without meeting the rigorous standards of the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE). The certification status of IBCLCs can be verified by their ID card or on the IBLCE website.