In 2018, there were 3.79 million babies born in the US. Of those babies, approximately 80% were breastfed or given expressed breastmilk around the time of their birth. Breastfeeding initiation in the US and other comparable countries is high and shows a lot of women desire to breastfeed. However, not all women meet their breastfeeding goals, and this is where breastfeeding counselors can help.
A Certified Breastfeeding Counselor is a lactation professional who completes a certification course including a final exam. This is a non-medical position, meaning they do not diagnose or treat medical conditions, nor do they practice medicine.
However, they are a vital piece in the maternity care and breastfeeding support. Here are the top FAQs about certified breastfeeding counselors:
What Is A Certified Breastfeeding Counselor?
As mentioned above, a Certified Breastfeeding Counselor (CBC) is a professionally trained lactation support person.
The International Breastfeeding Institute’s CBC training information shares the following about their training to help you understand more:
“Our Level One Core Course – our Certified Breastfeeding Counselor Course -will allow you to develop the skills necessary to help a mother and baby obtain all the benefits of breastfeeding and to navigate many of the challenges they may face.”
As a non-medical breastfeeding support, you’re available to provide phone, text, email, video chat and in-person support to breastfeeding mothers.
You act as an educator and a supporter for prenatal and postpartum women as they navigate common breastfeeding scenarios. A CBC is a vital piece of the maternity care system as they provide support and have the knowledge to refer women to other professionals as needed.
Several generations ago, women grew up seeing lots of others breastfeeding. They often saw their mothers, cousins, aunts, neighbors all breastfeeding infants. As everyone was breastfeeding, they easily became a base of support and knowledge for new mothers.
As our culture shifted and less women were breastfeeding or families were smaller and more spread out, we saw less breastfeeding growing up. Many born in the 80s and 90s, grew up on formula. When we started having children, our parents, aunts, etc., weren’t always able to help us.
As the medical field and science learned more about the benefits of breastfeeding, we started seeing public health campaigns. But, as mentioned above, women didn’t have much knowledgeable support around them. Out of this CBCs and other lactation professionals were born.
A CBC provides non-judgmental, evidenced based, non-medical support for breastfeeding women.
Is A Certified Breastfeeding Counselor An IBCLC?
An IBCLC is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant receives more academic training, has required college level prerequisites, and must complete 500-1000 clinical hours before sitting for their exam. An IBCLC is qualified to navigate breastfeeding challenges that cross into major concerns such as slow weight gain, milk transferring issues, etc.
A CBC provides important support for breastfeeding initiation, common lactation questions, ongoing support of typical breastfeeding relationships, and educates parents about lactation. CBC’s are also knowledgeable about signs and symptoms of bigger concerns and know when to refer to an IBCLC, pediatrician or other healthcare professional.
While CBCs are non-medical, their support for lactating women is a vital part of the maternity care system.
CBCs are sometimes L&D, NICU or pediatric nurses seeking ongoing education to support their breastfeeding patients. Some CBCs are doulas and childbirth educators seeking to provide more support for their clients. Others begin as a CBC and plan to become an IBCLC.
An advantage of the International Breastfeeding Institute’s CBC training is it can be a stepping stone towards an IBCLC career if desired. An excerpt from their training information says:
“Our Core Course also offers 40 CERPS (Continuing Education Recognition Points) towards the highest credential in lactation, the IBCLC.”
Whether you’re planning to support your current patients and clients, or you plan to become and IBCLC, a CBC training course is a great step in building your career.
Where Do Certified Breastfeeding Counselors Work?
There’s always a demand for breastfeeding support. What that looks like in your specific country, region or community may vary. However, there are many volunteer, employment, contract or private work opportunities for CBCs.
Some of these opportunities include:
- Using your CBC knowledge at your place of employment as a nurse
- Running a volunteer or paid support group
- Working at community outreach programs such as WIC
- Providing private support via phone, email, video chat, in-person, etc.
- Using your CBC skills to provide more support for your doula clients
- Teaching prenatal breastfeeding classes or providing more support for your childbirth class participants
- Providing support and education online via blogging, vlogging and social media
What Are The Prerequisites For Becoming A CBC?
While many healthcare professionals, doulas, etc., opt to become a CBC, you do not need prerequisites to begin training as a CBC. Your prior education and occupation may impact where you can seek work as a CBC, but it does not impact when you can begin training.
The wonderful thing about CBC training is it can be used as a stand alone career path or as a part of something bigger.
Some breastfeeding moms seek out the training purely to provide community support like she had or she wished she had during her own journey.
Regardless of your desired path, prior education, and current employment status, CBC training provides opportunity. It may be the opportunity to volunteer more, seek employment, or start your own private business. Many birth workers branch out and became well educated in fields which overlap like doula work and breastfeeding counseling.