At the International Breastfeeding Institute, we specialize in training Certified Breastfeeding Counselors (CBC) who have a medical background, as well as those who do not. What is a certified breastfeeding counselor’s role?
It can depend slightly on whether you are hospital staff, like our partners at New York Presbyterian, or a non-medical professional. However, the role and scope of practice overall remains the same.
While breastfeeding is a normal physiological process which is the next natural step after pregnancy, it is not always an easy process. Just as humans are born designed to walk but it takes time to get there, breastfeeding can have its ups and downs.
A CBC is a professional skilled in supporting families through normal breastfeeding initiation and common bumps throughout the breastfeeding relationship. They are also skilled in education and knowing when a family may need a referral to another professional.
CBCs Provide Expertise and Knowledge For Growing Families
While breastfeeding is the natural way to nourish new infants, and provides a bonding experience, it no doubt has its challenges. A CBC steps it to offer crucial support and guidance in an empowering way. The knowledge presented in an empathetic way with support to initiate breastfeeding in a comfortable and sustainable way, helps families meet their personal breastfeeding goals.
International Breastfeeding Institute CBCs undergo comprehensive training and education in:
- Breastfeeding physiology
- Feeding and initiation techniques,
- Common challenges
- Newborn feeding patterns
- Postpartum changes
- And more!
After completing our CBC course, counselors are equipped to provide accurate information, evidence-based guidance, and personalized support to parents seeking assistance with breastfeeding.
Whether it’s addressing latch issues, milk supply concerns, or positioning techniques, certified counselors possess the skills and insights to help mothers navigate the complexities of breastfeeding with confidence.
For L&D nurses, this certification provides a way to improve breastfeeding rates and increase patient satisfaction. For those who are not medical providers, they develop skills to complement their birth work, doula, and other careers.
A Certified Breastfeeding Counselor’s Role is Personalized Support
Every breastfeeding journey is unique, and parents may encounter a variety of challenges along the way. CBCs recognize the importance of tailored, individualized support to meet the specific needs and circumstances of each mother and baby.
IBCLCs also provide personalized care. However, many hospital maternity units only have one IBCLC per shift. This reduces the time they must provide truly personalized care. By adding CBCs to a maternity unit’s staff, there are more equipped lactation professionals to provider personalized care for common breastfeeding challenges.
Outside of hospitals, whether providing one-on-one consultations, support groups, or virtual counseling sessions, we can offer personalized guidance, encouragement, and troubleshooting strategies. By fostering a supportive and non-judgmental environment, we help parents feel heard, understood, and empowered to make informed decisions about their breastfeeding experience.
CBCs Provide Emotional Support
Breastfeeding can evoke a range of emotions for parents, from joy and fulfillment to frustration and uncertainty. As CBCs, we offer compassionate and empathetic support to parents navigating the emotional ups and downs of breastfeeding.
For those of us working in hospitals in additional roles, our training as a CBC can help parents navigate the emotional pressure after birth. Many new parents have strong preferences and feeding plans. However, they are not always prepared to navigate common breastfeeding challenges. Our emotional support is vital in helping them have a positive experience where they feel fully supported while navigating feeding challenges.
A Certified Breastfeeding Counselor’s Role Can Provide Continuity of Care
The support of a certified breastfeeding counselor extends beyond the initial breastfeeding challenges, encompassing the entire breastfeeding journey from infancy through weaning.
Whether providing ongoing guidance, follow-up consultations, or resources for transitioning to solid foods, counselors offer continuity of care to support mothers at every stage of their breastfeeding experience.
By building long-term relationships and fostering trust and rapport, counselors become trusted allies and resources for mothers seeking guidance and support throughout their breastfeeding journey.
Certified breastfeeding counselors play a vital role in empowering parents to navigate the complexities. Whether as a hospital employee or an independent breastfeeding counselor, a CBC’s role is vital in the overall maternity care system.