In recent years, there has been a growing demand for accessible, compassionate, and informed breastfeeding support. Families recognize the importance of human milk for infant health, but they’re often left without adequate guidance when challenges arise. This is where Certified Breastfeeding Counselors (CBCs) step in — filling critical gaps in care and ensuring families get the support they need when they need it most.
While International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) are clinical experts in lactation care, Certified Breastfeeding Counselors play an equally valuable, distinct, and accessible role in the broader breastfeeding support system.
Also, for those on the road to becoming an IBCLC, becoming a CBC first can be a great start in the journey to IBCLC.
What is a Certified Breastfeeding Counselor?
A Certified Breastfeeding Counselor (CBC) is a trained expert who provides evidence-based breastfeeding education and support. This is typically in non-clinical settings such as homes, community centers, prenatal classes, and postpartum visits. CBCs are trained to:
- Educate families on the benefits of breastfeeding
- Support with latch, positioning, and milk supply
- Help troubleshoot common early challenges
- Promote informed decision-making
- Provide referrals when advanced care is needed
Most CBCs come from backgrounds such as doulas, childbirth educators, peer supporters, or healthcare paraprofessionals — making them highly approachable and relatable for many families. However, some people jump right into becoming a CBC simply because they are passionate about supporting lactating families.
How CBCs Fill the Gaps in Breastfeeding Support
Despite national and global efforts to improve breastfeeding rates, many families still experience:
- Short hospital stays that don’t allow time for adequate lactation support
- Inconsistent follow-up in the early postpartum days
- Geographic or financial barriers to seeing an IBCLC
- Cultural or emotional discomfort accessing medicalized care
CBCs provide a bridge between peer support and clinical care. They are often more accessible, affordable, and available in community settings where families feel comfortable. This continuity of care is important for:
- Reducing early weaning due to preventable issues
- Supporting families with limited access to healthcare
- Reinforcing prenatal education with postpartum guidance
- Increasing confidence and reducing feeding-related stress
CBCs help close the gap between wanting to breastfeed and being able to. Many breastfeeding difficulties are common challenges which may not need a clinical level of support.
CBCs vs. IBCLCs: What’s the Difference?
| Certified Breastfeeding Counselor (CBC) | International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) |
| Completed a training course (typically 45–90 hours) | Completed advanced coursework and 1,000+ hours of clinical experience |
| Works in non-clinical or supportive roles | Works in hospitals, clinics, or medical practices |
| Supports healthy, full-term infants and parents | Manages complex lactation cases and medical concerns |
| Focuses on education, prevention, and basic support | Provides clinical assessment, diagnosis, and treatment |
| Often accessible in community settings | Often requires referral or insurance coverage |
It’s not about competition — it’s about collaboration. CBCs provide early, accessible, and ongoing support, while IBCLCs offer advanced clinical care when complications arise. Together, they create a full circle of care that improves breastfeeding outcomes.
Medical professionals such as L&D nurses, pediatricians, etc., might opt to add a CBC training so they can support their patients. While a few might opt to become IBCLCs, many professionals do not have the time or desire to take on such intense training. Becoming a CBC allows them to better support their patients in breastfeeding, then they only have to refer to an IBCLC for difficulties beyond their scope of support.
Why CBCs Are More Important Than Ever
With rising awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding — from reducing infant illness to supporting maternal mental health — the need for every day, culturally sensitive, and timely support is growing. Certified Breastfeeding Counselors are meeting families where they are: in their homes, online, in childbirth classes, and at community events.
They help normalize breastfeeding, reduce stigma, and empower parents to trust their bodies and their babies. In many communities, especially underserved or rural areas, CBCs are the only lactation support available.
You have the power to bridge the gap and make breastfeeding more accessible for families in your community.
As a Certified Breastfeeding Counselor, you can play a vital role in supporting breastfeeding families. You can be an educator, encourager, and advocate. By filling the gap between clinical care and community needs, CBCs make breastfeeding more achievable and less overwhelming for families everywhere.
Not already a CBC? Get started today and you can make a difference for families in your community.