Earning your CBC certificate shows your clients that you are committed to your profession and committed to supporting them. It means you value evidenced based information and professional support.
You may be surprised to know that the lactation profession is not regulated. In other words, there are no universal standards that every lactation professional needs to adhere to. The exception to this is IBCLCs, or Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultants. However, that is a peer agreed upon regulation and not an international, federal, or state regulation.
This means that anyone can call themselves a lactation professional, whether they’ve earned their CBC certificate or not.
If you can call yourself a lactation professional, lactation counselor, or even a lactation consultant (which we think is a big no), without certification, why get certified?
Earning your CBC certification is crucial for many reasons.
Most importantly, being certified shows your clients that you are committed to your work. It demonstrates a high degree of professionalism. Your CBE certification will give you a solid foundation of knowledge to compliment your passion for working with new and growing families.
Here are 6 reasons why you should earn your CBC certification from the International Breastfeeding Institute
#1: We Help You Develop Professional Skills
At the International Breastfeeding Institute, part of the International Doula Institute (IDI), we are committed to helping you learn what it really takes to be a lactation professional. In addition to educating you about pregnancy, labor, and postpartum care, we take the time to help you understand the importance of professionalism.
Being a CBC is a form of customer service: you need be reliable, respectful, and always strive to offer to the highest level of care to your clients.
#2: You Receive Comprehensive, Evidence-Based Training
When you pursue your CBC certification with IDI you are receiving the most comprehensive training available. In addition to lactation professionals (including IBCLCs) who work in the field, you will be taught by experts in complementary fields.
Our curriculum contributors include a neonatologist, a registered dietician, and a psychotherapist specializing in women’s wellness – just to name a few.
You will receive education from your future peers, as well as experts in the field of lactation and early parenting. Not only will you understand lactation, you will understand the basics of early infant development and maternal health which impact lactation.
As a professional CBC, you do more than share about breastfeeding initiation. Provide real and practical support and education to lactating families.
#3: CBC Certification Shows Commitment to Your Career
Earning your Certified Breastfeeding Counselor certification is a sign of commitment. It is tangible evidence of your hard work and dedication. Being certified tells your clients (and the local birth community) that you take being a lactation professional seriously.
Many CBCs are also doulas. This extra certification tells your doula clients you are committed to providing advanced professional support.
#4: Being A Certified Breastfeeding Counselor Provides Clients With Accountability
The first thing you will learn when you begin your CBC certification with IDI is the importance of our Scope of Practice. Talking to your clients about the Scope of Practice lets them know up front what they can expect of you.
Knowing exactly what you can (and cannot) do as a CBC will offer you and your clients a sense of ease. Additionally, they will know that there is a trusted organization backing your work. They can know that you are held accountable to certain standards of practice, and will only offer professional, evidenced based support.
#5: You Will Be Prepared with Business Basics
Another reason that IDI’s CBC certification program is unique is we offer CBC and doula business basics.
Being a lactation professional or doula is not just about helping new families, it’s a career. As a CBC, you’ll need to know how to market yourself, how to talk to prospective clients, and how to collect money for your services.
We will walk you through it all so you will feel confident to start offering (and getting paid for!) your lactation and postpartum services. As soon as you complete your CBC certification, you will be ready to launch your business.
#6: You Will Be More Likely to Get Hired As A CBC (And Doula)
Clients will be more comfortable hiring you when they know you’ve put in the effort to learn about the needs of new, growing and lactating families. It shows them that you take your career seriously.
Similarly, if you decide to work for a doula agency, WIC office, or other parenting service company, you’ll need to have your CBC certification before you can begin working.
The bottom line is, you’ll be fully prepared to being working as a certified breastfeeding counselor as soon as you complete your certification with IDI. Follow your passion for supporting lactating families, register today!