Lactation Professionals provide skilled lactation care and support to families through the perinatal time period. LPs work in various community settings with a referral based support team** and do not provide medical services, treatment, prescription or diagnosis unless their primary degree permits this (ie: doctors, pediatricians, OB/ Gynacs, etc). **Referral based support teams may include doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, dentists, psychologists, speech and language pathologists, occupational therapists, and others professions.
Please read below about the different qualifications of Lactation Professionals (LP) who offer skilled lactation care at different levels and support in India. There are many types of Lactation Professionals (LP) who care for families during lactation. ALPI believes in a referral based system, where skilled lactation support is provided at all levels and all communities throughout India. Thank you for supporting families together!
International Board Certified Lactation Credential IBCLC/ Lactation Consultant
IBCLC* (Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant) Internationally Recognized Highest Gold Standard *IBCLC is the internationally trademarked term by IBCLE. **Please note the abbreviation and title of lactation consultant, IBCLC and LC is exclusively for those who have passed the IBCLE Board Examination. IBCLE Website IBCLC Scope of Practice IBCLC Pathways An Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant is someone who has studied the comprehensive science of lactation and put in the most clinical hours (a minimum of 1000 hours) observing and working with families during lactation. An IBCLC, IBCLE's internationally trademarked term, in order to obtain his/ her credential sits for an examination (similar to the boards taken by medical doctors). This is the only internationally, standardized lactation credential available globally. IBCLCs are required to recertify every five years, by educational credits or exam, in order to retain their title. They work on a health team in hospitals, doctor’s clinics, lactation support centres and other settings. Some IBCLCs make home visits as well. Many IBCLCs have taken one of the certification courses below to obtain his/her 90 hours of lactation specific education. Requirements for IBCLC by Pathway 1:
14 hours health sciences credits
90 hours of lactation specific education
5 hours communication specific education
1000 clinical hours focused on breastfeeding
IBCLC Examination (initial examination, followed by renewal every 5 years)
Certification Programs Professional Level **All professional level courses give BOTH approved/ recognized I-LEHs and CERPs Hours for coursework.**
Certified Lactation Professional (CLP India) Begin Ed India
Recognized by ALPI: Begin Ed India is an approved I-LEH Course Provider through ALPI's Lactation Course Recognition Process.
Begin Ed India is India's FIRST Long Term CERP Provider through IBLCE (International Continuing Education Recognition Points). IBLCE Long-term Providership #CL2023-1IN
Advanced Certified Lactation Professional (ACLP)*
100 Hours: I-LEHs/ CERPs
Certified Lactation Professional (CLP)*
50 Hours: I-LEHs/ CERPs
Certified Lactation Support Professional (CLSP)*
25 Hours: I-LEHs/ CERPs
*Advanced Certified Lactation Professional (ACLP), Certified Lactation Professional (CLP), Certified Lactation Support Professional (CLSP), Certified Lactation Support (CLS) are the exclusive and registered titles for Begin Ed India's courses and training programs. All rights reserved. Trademark applied (2021).* A Certified Lactation Professional has taken between 25 and 100 Hours (I-LEHs/ CERPs) in lactation specific coursework in India from Begin Ed India's online lactation courses. After completing the coursework, the ACLP/ CLP/ CLSP must pass a final exam to complete the certification process. All CLPs are recommended to complete clinical experience and mentorship with a more experience Lactation Professional during their training. CLPs are required to obtain continuing education every 5 years to maintain the CLP certification for renewal.
CLP coursework can also lead to becoming an IBCLC through taking the IBLCE's International Lactation Board Examination. A CLP is qualified to help with common situations involving latch issues, counseling needs, milk supply challenges and also more complicated situations (like premature, low birth weight and other medically challenging situations). CLPs can work on the health team in hospitals, outpatient settings, lactation support centres and in the community in India.
Begin Ed India's India Lactation Training Courses (I-LTC): Begin Ed India offers continuing lactation education and lactation courses, "For India. By India. About India." These continuing lactation education and lactation training courses include:
Please NOTE: Begin Ed India neither provides degree or diploma programs in lactation nor certifies lactation consultants. All CLP India certificates (ACLP, CLP, CLSP, CLS) are valid for 5 years and are renewable every 5 years through continuing education.
*Advanced Certified Lactation Professional (ACLP), Certified Lactation Professional (CLP), Certified Lactation Support Professional (CLSP), Certified Lactation Support (CLS) are the exclusive and registered titles for Begin Ed India's courses and training programs. All rights reserved. Trademark applied (2021).*
Other Lactation Certifications: These are other lactation courses and certifications available in India, but do not necessarily offer recognized I-LEHs or CERPs.
Lactation Counselors
A Lactation Counselor has taken coursework in breastfeeding management (minimum 90 hours of recognized lactation specific coursework in the past 5 years) and passed a final examination. Lactation Counselors are required to obtain lactation continuing education credits every 3 years to maintain their certification. Lactation Counselor is often a stepping stone to becoming an IBCLC. A Lactation Counselor is qualified to help with commonly encountered situations, including assessing latch, suggesting corrective interventions, counseling mothers, understanding and applying knowledge of milk production in special circumstances (such as preemies, or newborns affected by medications). Lactation Counselor can work in maternity wards, at doctors’ offices, or outpatient support centers. (Possible Alternate Titles: Certified Lactation Care Counselor/ CLCC, Certified Lactation Education Counselor/ CLEC, Certfied BF Specialist/ CBS
CLE (Certified Lactation Educator)
Certified Lactation Educators have taken a minimum 20 lactation education course hours. Their primary role is to educate families interested in learning more about breastfeeding. CLE’s can encourage families during lactation, often support them in the role of a doula or childbirth educator, and confidence in breastfeeding. A CLE can provide evidence-based information for families. CLE’s do not offer medical assessment or advice, but instead refer families to local resources if a problem arises. The primary difference here is that a CLE offers information and education, not a lactation assessment or treatment plan.
IYCF Counseling Specialist (IYCF/ CS)
BPNI Website BPNI (Central) offers a training course on “Infant and Young Child Feeding Counseling: A Training Course – The 3 in 1 Course (An Integrated Course on Breastfeeding, Complementary Feeding and Infant Feeding & HIV-Counseling)” in different parts of India to prepare “Infant and Young Child Feeding Counseling Specialist”. Participants, who wish to be certified as IYCF Counseling Specialists, should be doctors or nurses, nutrition or other social or health professionals who are involved in care of mothers and children.
Peer Counseling Courses These are other lactation courses and certifications available in India, but do not necessarily offer recognized I-LEHs or CERPs.
LLLI Leader
La Leche Website La Leche League Leaders have been accredited by La Leche League International to offer mother-to-mother support for breastfeeding. LLLI Leaders have breastfed their own babies for at least nine months, adhere to LLLI statements of belief, and have demonstrated knowledge of breastfeeding. Generally, a leader works for about a year to earn her accreditation.
PC (Peer Counselor)
A Breastfeeding Peer Counselor (peer support person) is someone who offers mother-to-mother support for breastfeeding, advocates for breastfeeding as the normal, optimal way of feeding an infant, and helps to establish or prolong the time spent breastfeeding. Peer counselors are accredited by various agencies and have varying qualifications. Most have completed around 20 hours of training and taken some sort of examination. Peer Counselors, like the name suggests, have all breastfed their own babies for at least a year and so can come to nursing mothers with hands-on experience. Peer Counselors offer education and support, but do not offer assessments or medical advice.
ALPI understands there are many options for lactation courses and training programs, both in India and internationally. ALPI Executive Team reviews each member's application and lactation certification documents. ALPI ET has the right to ask for more documents and has the right revoke any potential member's application.
Lactation Professionals include IBCLC/ Lactation Consultants, Certified Lactation Professionals, Lactation Counselors and other recognized certifications with both lactation coursework and clinical lactation experience.
**Updated Sept 2024 by ALPI ET/ AT** The above courses and certifications listed have been reviewed by ALPI's Executive and Advisory Team through an application and approval process. Please contact Team ALPI for Lactation Qualifications Directory application.
This page is reviewed annually by the ALPI Executive Team (ET) and Advisory Team (AT). If you have any feedback or questions please contact Team ALPI at: [email protected]
