So, What is a Lactation Consultant Anyway?

A quick introduction to who I am, what I do, and why I care so much about this work.

Hi, I’m Amanda — mum of two, living in Chester, and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). I work both in private practice and within the NHS supporting families with infant feeding.

So… what does that actually mean?

What is an IBCLC?

An IBCLC is a specialist in infant feeding and lactation. It’s the highest internationally recognised qualification in infant feeding and lactation care, often described as the gold standard.

IBCLCs are trained to support normal feeding, but also complex situations where there may be pain, medical issues, feeding difficulties, or concerns about a baby’s growth.

How did I become an IBCLC?

It took years!

I started out as a breastfeeding peer supporter, helping families in the community. I then worked as a Maternity Support Worker on a home birth team, specialising in infant feeding support.

Alongside working, I was studying, a lot. Because I don’t come from a medical background, I completed 14 college-level Health Science courses before I could even sit the exam.

To qualify, I also had to:

• Complete 90 hours of lactation-specific education

• Provide at least 1,000 hours of breastfeeding support

• Pass a 4 hour international board exam

It was intense! I revised for hours most evenings, and waiting for the results was torture. But it was worth it, I passed with flying colours, and became an IBCLC.

“So you just help people feed their baby?”

Polite smile.

Yes, I help people feed their baby, but it’s rarely “just” that.

Feeding is a relationship between a parent and a baby. It involves anatomy, physiology, hormones, behaviour, emotions, sleep, recovery from birth, and sometimes medical or developmental issues.

I support families with:

• Painful feeding

• Tongue tie

• Low milk supply

• Slow weight gain

• Prematurity

• Cleft palate

• Medical conditions

• Disabilities

• Mental health challenges

My support is clinical, evidence-based, and always tailored to the individual family in front of me.

“Can’t I just go to a support group?”

Yes, and I actively encourage it.

I was a peer supporter for years and have huge respect for the parents who volunteer their time to help others. Support groups are brilliant for community, encouragement and shared experience.

Peer supporters are fantastic listeners and empower parents. However, they don’t provide in-depth clinical assessment or complex feeding support, that’s where IBCLCs come in.

Both have an important role.

Why did I train?

Because my own breastfeeding journey was hard.

With my first baby, we battled mastitis, bleeding nipples, slow weight gain, tongue tie, nipple shields, thrush, and enormous pressure to stop feeding. I went to groups, I Googled endlessly, but I was missing specialist support. We got through it - just - but it felt like a war.

My second journey was easier, but still included mastitis, thrush and another tongue tie. This time, I saw an IBCLC.

The difference was huge.

I had skilled, evidence-based support. I felt listened to. Problems were solved. We went on to have a lovely three-year breastfeeding journey.

That experience changed everything for me. I knew I didn’t want other parents to struggle the way I had. So I trained.

So here I am

Now I get to do the job I once desperately needed.

Supporting families through feeding challenges, protecting mental wellbeing, and helping parents feel confident, not overwhelmed.

Feeding your baby shouldn’t feel like a battle. And you don’t have to figure it out alone.