What is an IBCLC and why did I become one?
IBCLC stands for International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (what a mouthful!). An IBCLC is a healthcare professional who has undertaken extensive education and clinical experience in breastfeeding before sitting an internationally recognised (4 hour!) examination. The training is mammoth and despite being a midwife when I undertook the course, I was absolutely blown away by the depth of knowledge expected prior to the exam. The course covers a huge range of subjects; physiology, medications, oral functions, nutrition. Did I love them all? Probably not. Do I feel way more confident with assessing feeding and supporting feeding difficulties? Absolutely.
But you are a midwife? Why put yourself through all that?!
I knew becoming an IBCLC would involve some serious studying. What I perhaps underestimated was just how much work it would be to fit everything in alongside midwifery shifts, running a small business and mum life. Trying to balance all of that with everyday life was not easy. But I have always felt incredibly passionate about supporting people on their feeding journeys. As a midwife, I have seen how important those first days and weeks can be for establishing feeding and building confidence. As a mum, I also understand that knowing the theory and actually feeding your own baby are two very different things. And as a lactation consultant, I now have the opportunity to bring all of those experiences together.
Why breastfeeding support matters
We often talk about breastfeeding as though it should be instinctive and straightforward.
Sometimes it is. But sometimes it really isn't. I struggled so much with breastfeeding my firstborn. It was such a stressful time and it really impacted on my confidence as a mum and enjoyment of my baby. Having been a midwife for 11 years, I see so many challenges faced by breastfeeding mums. A baby might struggle to attach. Feeding might be painful. A parent might be worried about their milk supply. A baby might be sleepy or unsettled at the breast. Parents might be expressing milk or combination feeding. In my role as a community midwife, visits are often time sensitive and perhaps happen before or after a feed. We only work alongside families in the very early days so we don't always see what happens later down the line.
Which is why I love being an IBCLC too. I can really get to spend time with families in their own homes. Work out what their feeding goals may be and how to move towards them. There is no single way to breastfeed and no single breastfeeding experience. I want to find out what successful breastfeeding means to you, not for me as a health professional.
Home breastfeeding support in Edinburgh
I love supporting people at home both as a midwife and an IBCLC. The early days with a newborn can be exhausting. The last thing you may want to do is pack up your baby, organise a changing bag, get everyone dressed and travel across Edinburgh for an appointment. As an IBCLC, the most helpful place to receive breastfeeding support is at home, on your own sofa! It allows us to look at feeding withing your normal environment. I can also see what pillows you are using, how you are sitting, how you are managing to get rest. And it is so valuable having these conversations without feeling rushed. You can feed your baby where you normally would and show me the things you are finding difficult. And we can work together to find practical solutions that fit into your actual life.
Meeting you where you are
For me, this phrase means much more than offering home visits. Meeting you where you are means starting with your individual circumstances, not with an expectation of what breastfeeding 'should' look like.Perhaps you are exclusively breastfeeding. Or maybe you are expressing. Perhaps you are combination feeding or you are returning to work and want help planning how feeding might work. Perhaps you are struggling with breastfeeding and aren't sure what to do next. All of these situations are valid reasons to seek breastfeeding support. My role isn't about telling you what you should do. My role is to provide evidence-based information, skilled support and a safe space to talk so that you can make informed decisions about feeding your baby. There is no judgement here. As a midwife and IBCLC, I want to help families understand what is happening, explore their options and make decisions that work for them.
Combining midwifery and lactation support
Becoming an IBCLC feels like a natural extension of my work as a midwife. Pregnancy, birth, feeding and those early weeks with a newborn aren't separate experiences. They all connect.
The conversations we have during pregnancy can influence how prepared parents feel for the early days. Understanding normal newborn behaviour can help parents feel more confident when feeding doesn't look quite how they expected. And having access to skilled breastfeeding support can make a huge difference when things become difficult.
At Grow+Gather, we already provide midwife-led antenatal classes, active birth workshops and infant first aid sessions for families in Edinburgh and Dundee. Adding IBCLC lactation support means we can continue supporting families after their baby arrives too. I am incredibly excited to offer home breastfeeding consultations in Edinburgh, helping parents navigate the reality of feeding a new baby with knowledgeable, compassionate and personalised support. Whether you are pregnant and want to understand more about breastfeeding, you're struggling with feeding in the early days, you're worried about pain or milk supply, or you're simply looking for reassurance, you don't have to figure it all out alone.
Looking for breastfeeding support in Edinburgh?
If you're a new or expectant parent looking for breastfeeding support or an IBCLC lactation consultation in Edinburgh, I would love to help. Whether you are in Portobello, Currie, Morningside or Barnton, I am happy to travel! Why not get in touch?
@growandgatherbirth
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