Every year, during World Breastfeeding Week (August 1–7), we come together globally to recognize the importance of breastfeeding and the people who make that journey possible. At the heart of this support system stands a unique and essential professional: the International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).
IBCLCs are often described as experts, but we are so much more than that. We are the steady hands and listening ears, the educators and advocates, the cheerleaders and troubleshooters. We are the ones quietly holding space for families in their most vulnerable and transformative moments. Today, we honor all IBCLCs - not just for what they do, but for who they are.
IBCLCs are healthcare professionals with specialized training in human lactation and infant feeding. They provide evidence-based guidance to help families navigate breastfeeding challenges, from latching issues and milk supply concerns to complex medical situations like tongue ties or NICU stays.
But their role goes far beyond clinical expertise.
They advocate for families in hospital rooms, birthing centers, and pediatric offices. They work to normalize breastfeeding in public, push for policy changes, and ensure that lactation care is integrated into postpartum healthcare.
They are reliable resources in a world filled with conflicting advice, offering clarity, consistency, and confidence to new parents trying to find their footing.
Parenting, especially in those early days, can be overwhelming, exhausting, and emotional. Breastfeeding is not just a physical act - it’s deeply tied to identity, bonding, and mental health.
IBCLCs understand that.
They show up with compassion and without judgment. They see the tears, the doubts, the quiet triumphs, and the loud frustrations. And they meet it all with unwavering empathy.
They are:
In a culture where new parents often feel isolated, IBCLCs are a vital part of the village so many families long for. They help build bridges to community. They connect families to resources. They remind parents that they’re not alone.
Their care doesn’t stop after the first latch. It continues through weaning, pumping, returning to work, and navigating feeding transitions. They walk the entire journey alongside families, every step of the way.
To every IBCLC: your work matters. Your presence matters. You are a lifeline in those early, hazy, hard days of new parenthood. You are the calm voice, the confident guide, the compassionate heart.
You are a cornerstone of maternal and infant health, and your impact echoes far beyond the clinic or consultation room.
So this World Breastfeeding Week, we celebrate YOU.
We thank you for your knowledge, your patience, your kindness, and your unshakable commitment to families.
You are more than a consultant—you are a force of love, resilience, and healing.
Happy World Breastfeeding Week. 💕
Reach out today - I am your local international board certified lactation consultant and I would love to be part of your journey. Supporting York Region (Markham, Stouffville, Newmarket, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Thornhill, Aurora) and Durham Region (Ajax, Pickering, Whitby, Oshawa)
