We are 2023 IBCLC Care Award Winners!
The team behind Wholistic Birth & Wellness is so excited to receive the IBCLE Care Award! It is our mission to support mothers through the fourth trimester and lactation is one aspect that is often overlooked. We both understand first hand how difficult it can be to breastfeed, and that is why we strive to improve the experience for others.
We have over thousands of hours and hundreds of families we have served. Each dyad (mom and baby team) is unique as well as the challenges they face with breastfeeding. We find it important to understand your goals and help you reach them.
The IBCLC Care Award recognizes hospitals and community-based facilities that demonstrate their commitment to promoting, protecting, and supporting breastfeeding and the lactation consultant profession.
We are a community-based facility in Simi Valley, California and one of 50 recognized globally with this award! We serve a broad area of the Los Angeles and Ventura Counties.
What is an IBCLC?
An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant® (IBCLC®) is a health care professional who specializes in the clinical management of breastfeeding. IBCLCs are certified by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners® (IBLCE®). IBCLCs function and contribute as members of the maternal-child health team. They provide care in a variety of settings, while making appropriate referrals to other health professionals and community support resources. Working together with families, policymakers, and society, IBCLCs provide expert breastfeeding and lactation care, promote changes that support breastfeeding and help reduce the risks of not breastfeeding. - IBCLE
The CDC data demonstrates that over 80% of women initiate breastfeeding, but less than 50% of those women are continuing to exclusively breastfeed by 3 months.
Women who have adequate prenatal and postpartum lactation support are significantly more likely to breastfeed long term, with data supporting at least 5 months postpartum.
Guise, JM, et al. 2003. The effectiveness of primary care-based interventions to promote breastfeeding: systematic evidence review and meta-analysis for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Annals of Family Medicine. 1:2, 70-8.
Why having an IBCLC matters
An IBCLC plays a crucial role in providing essential support and guidance to nursing mothers and their babies. In the early days of breastfeeding, many mothers may encounter challenges and uncertainties. A lactation consultant is an invaluable resource, offering evidence-based advice and practical solutions.
Our expertise enables us to address issues such as latch difficulties, low milk supply, and painful breastfeeding experiences. We empower women with knowledge, helping them gain confidence in their ability to nourish their babies. Additionally, IBCLCs provide emotional support during what can be an emotionally and physically demanding time.
By promoting successful breastfeeding journeys, IBCLCs contribute to the overall health and well-being of both mother and child. Our expertise is a vital aspect of the comprehensive care offered to families, supporting and promoting the benefits of breastfeeding.
At Wholistic Birth & Wellness, we are proud to share our practice statistics. We have a 99% breastfeeding rate among all our community birth and hospital birth clients.
Contact us for any lactation support, from birth to weaning, we are here to support you.