An integrative review of the impact of International Board Certified Lactation Consultants in outpatient postnatal settings in the United States.

Abstract

Breastfeeding provides substantial health benefits to both the lactating parent and child, yet most dyads in the U.S. do not meet the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations to exclusively breastfeed to 6 months and with the addition of solids, continue to breastfeed to 24 months. Outpatient lactation support, such as highly trained International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs), may be key to assisting dyads to overcome breastfeeding difficulties that lead to cessation. In this review, we synthesize studies within the United States that report on breastfeeding outcomes from outpatient postnatal IBCLC interventions in articles published from 2000 to 2024. Our findings revealed that implementation of postnatal outpatient IBCLC consultations and optional access to an IBCLC in a practice setting or via telehealth were associated with increased breastfeeding intensity and duration. Policy changes and accessibility to IBCLCs are needed to ensure all mothers have the option to obtain IBCLC or equivalent services.