As a doula, you play a crucial role in guiding the families you serve through pregnancy and birth. However, your involvement doesn’t simply end as soon as baby arrives. Most doulas spend at least one to two hours after birth with the families. We help with immediate bonding and even latch initiation during the golden hour.
By becoming a Certified Breastfeeding Counselor (CBC), you can expand your skills and help improve breastfeeding outcomes for the families you serve. Here are a few reasons why doulas should become Certified Breastfeeding Counselors.
Continuity of Care for New Parents
One of the biggest challenges new parents face is the transition from birth support to postpartum support. While hospital staff may offer brief breastfeeding guidance, families often go home with unanswered questions.
As a birth doula who is also a CBC, you can provide immediate, evidence-based lactation support in those crucial first hours and continue that guidance once the family is home.
This means your clients have a trusted, familiar face helping them troubleshoot latch issues, understand newborn feeding patterns, and feel confident in their feeding journey. They also have someone supporting them who knows when it is time to seek more support (like that of an IBCLC) versus telling them to just be patient.
Addressing Common Breastfeeding Challenges Early
Many breastfeeding issues—such as nipple pain, poor latch, engorgement, or low milk supply—can often be managed with early support. When doulas are trained as CBCs, they can identify concerns early. Then offer practical solutions, and make appropriate referrals to IBCLCs or healthcare providers when needed.
Your expanded knowledge could mean the difference between a parent stopping breastfeeding out of frustration or continuing successfully. Most cases of low milk supply or prolonged nipple pain are related to not getting adequate early support.
Enhancing Your Services
Families often seek comprehensive support packages. By adding CBC certification to your doula services, you make yourself a one-stop resource for both birth and early lactation needs. This not only sets you apart from other doulas in your area but also allows you to increase the services you offer.
Most experienced doulas will tell you that diversifying the services you offer makes it easier to stay in the birth work world long term.
Supporting Informed Feeding Choices
Breastfeeding counseling is not about pressuring parents, it’s about ensuring they have accurate, evidence-based information to make informed choices. The CBC program at IDI emphasizes compassionate, nonjudgmental support, helping families meet their feeding goals, whatever they may be.
Why Choose IDI for CBC Training
The International Doula Institute offers a CBC program specifically designed for birth and postpartum professionals. Here’s what makes it ideal for doulas:
- Evidence-Based Curriculum: You’ll learn the latest research and best practices in lactation support.
- Flexibility: 100% online training allows you to complete coursework at your own pace.
- Integration with Doula Skills: The program is designed to complement your existing doula training, ensuring the skills you gain are directly applicable to your work.
- Professional Recognition: An IDI CBC certification adds credibility and trust to your professional profile.
Becoming a Certified Breastfeeding Counselor through the International Doula Institute isn’t just an extra credential, it’s a way to deepen your impact, empower families, and offer truly comprehensive support from the first contraction to the last latch.
With both doula and CBC skills, you can help families not only have the birth they want but also the breastfeeding experience they hope for. Ready to get started? Register today!