A credential, explained
What is an IBCLC?
An IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) is a healthcare professional certified by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) to provide clinical breastfeeding and lactation care.
It's also the credential behind every bra Bodily makes. More on that below.
Certification details per IBLCE and The Lactation Network, current as of August 2026.
How it's earned
Three pathways, one exam
IBLCE recognizes three routes to certification. All three converge on the same board exam — there's no version of the credential that skips it.
For health professionals or experienced lactation supporters
Working independently toward certification. 95 hrs coursework · 1,000 hrs clinical.
Accredited academic lactation program
Education and clinical training built into a structured program. Integrated coursework · 300 hrs clinical.
Mentorship-based
Under the direct, documented supervision of a practicing IBCLC. 95 hrs coursework · 500 hrs clinical.
Where it sits
Lactation support isn't one credential
It's a spectrum — from volunteer peer counselors to certificate-based counselors to board-certified consultants. Here's roughly where each tier sits, in terms of required training.
Peer counselors
Trained volunteers or staff, often through a short program (commonly cited around 20–40 hours). Valuable for everyday encouragement; not a clinical credential.
CLC / CBS and similar
Typically a multi-day course (often ~45 hours) with an exam, but generally without a supervised clinical-hours requirement.
IBCLC
95+ hours of coursework and up to 1,000 supervised clinical hours and a four-hour board exam through an NCCA-accredited body. Recertified every five years.
Hour ranges for peer- and certificate-level training vary by program and are cited here for general orientation, not as a formal IBLCE comparison. Within the field, IBCLC is widely regarded as the most rigorous of the three, since it's the only tier requiring both extensive supervised clinical practice and a board exam.
Why we're telling you this
Every Bodily bra is designed by an IBCLC — not just tested by one
Board Certified Lactation Consultants are typically brought in to review a product, or to write the marketing copy. On our team, an IBCLC is part of the design process itself — clip placement, band pressure, one-handed access, and fabric against skin that's already sensitive, considered from the first sketch.
It's a distinction few nursing bra brands can point to: most apparel-first labels bring in a lactation expert for a review pass, if at all, rather than the initial design.
- ✓ Clip and pull-down access reviewed for one-handed use mid-feed
- ✓ Band and strap tension checked across pregnancy-to-postpartum sizing
- ✓ No fixed padding, by design, on clip-down and pull-down styles
- ✓ Fabric screened to OEKO-TEX® Standard 100
Behind the design
What clinical input actually changes
Intentional features made with breast health in mind
Shop the collection
Every core bra, designed the same way
One IBCLC, one design process, four silhouettes.
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Bundles, for the whole feeding journey
Same IBCLC-designed construction, packaged for pregnancy through postpartum.
The Stages of Breastfeeding Bundle • Save 12%
Three bras for three stages, from late pregnancy through nursing.
$140.71 Shop bundleBreastfeeding Essentials Bundle • Save 30%
Everything to get started, in one order.
$233.80 Shop bundleCommon questions
FAQ
How is an IBCLC different from a "lactation consultant"?
"Lactation consultant" isn't a protected title on its own, so training varies widely. IBCLC is the credential with a standardized exam, minimum clinical hour requirements, and a five-year recertification cycle overseen by IBLCE — an independent, third-party certifying body.
Is an IBCLC a doctor?
No. An IBCLC is a specialized allied health credential focused on clinical lactation care. Many IBCLCs are nurses, dietitians, or other healthcare professionals who add the credential; others come to it through direct clinical experience. It's a board certification, not a medical degree.
Did an IBCLC actually design Bodily's bras, or just review them?
Our IBCLC is part of the design process itself, not a review pass at the end — weighing in on clip placement, band pressure, and one-handed access from early samples onward.
Does wearing an IBCLC-designed bra prevent clogged ducts or mastitis?
Our IBCLC reviews fit and construction — band tension, padding, strap pressure — for comfort and ease of access. For concerns about clogged ducts, mastitis, or other lactation issues, talk to a lactation consultant or your healthcare provider.
How many IBCLCs are there?
As of recent counts, there are more than 39,000 practicing IBCLCs across over 130 countries. The credential was established in 1985.
Sources: IBLCE (International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners), The Lactation Network, USLCA. Certification requirements are set by IBLCE, not by Bodily, and are current as of August 2026 — always confirm specifics at ibclc.org.
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