IBCLC Exam Information and Guideline
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant
Below are complete topics detail with latest syllabus and course outline, that will help you good knowledge about exam objectives and topics that you have to prepare. These contents are covered in questions and answers pool of exam.
International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBCLE)
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant® (IBCLC®)
Detailed Content Outline
A. Infant
1. Feeding behaviours at different ages
2. Food intolerances/allergies
3. Infant anatomy and anatomical/oral challenges
4. Introducing complementary foods
5. Low birth weight
6. Milk banking – formal and informal
7. Normal infant behaviours
8. Nutritional requirements - preterm
9. Preterm development and growth
10. Skin tone, muscle tone, reflexes
11. Term development and growth
12. WHO growth charts with gestational age adjustment
B. Maternal
1. Breast development and growth
2. Breast surgery
3. Composition of human milk
4. Maternal anatomical challenges
5. Maternal nutritional status
6. Nipple structure and variations
II. Physiology and Endocrinology 24
1. Diabetes
2. Infertility Issues
3. Maternal metabolic and hormonal disorders (e.g., thyroid, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome)
4. Maternal autoimmune disorders
5. Multiples
6. Newborn hypoglycemia
7. Pregnancy and breastfeeding – tandem
8. Relactation
9. Stooling and voiding
III. Pathology 31
A. Infant
1. Allergies
2. Ankyloglossia
3. Cleft lip and palate
4. Congenital anomalies (e.g., gastrointestinal, cardiac)
5. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), reflux
6. Hyperbilirubinemia
7. Infant acute disease (bacterial, viral, fungal, systemic)
8. Infant neurological disabilities
9. Small for Gestational Age (SGA), Large for Gestational Age (LGA)
B. Maternal
1. Abscess
2. Milk ejection reflex dysfunction
3. Maternal acute disease (bacterial, viral, fungal, systemic)
4. Maternal chronic disease
5. Maternal disability (physical and neurological)
6. Mastitis
7. Milk supply, low or over
8. Nipple and breast conditions
9. Nipple pain and trauma
10. Post-partum hemorrhage
11. Pre-eclampsia / pregnancy induced hypertension
IV. Pharmacology and Toxicology 13
1. Alcohol and tobacco
2. Contraception
3. Drugs of abuse
4. Galactogogues
5. Gel dressings/nipple creams
6. Medication (prescription, over-the-counter, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures)
7. Medicinal Herbs
V. Psychology, Sociology, and Anthropology
1. Transition to parenthood
2. Birth practices
3. Foods to eat/avoid that affect lactation
4. Employment – returning to work
5. Family lifestyle
6. Identifying support networks
7. Maternal mental health
8. Maternal psychological/cognitive issues
9. Mother-baby relationship
10. Safe sleep
11. Weaning
12. Cultural competency
VI. Techniques 25
1. Effective milk transfer (including medically-indicated supplementation)
2. First hour
3. Latching
4. Managing supply
5. Milk expression
6. Positioning
7. Refusal of breast, bottle
8. Skin-to-skin (Kangaroo care)
9. Test-weighing
VII. Clinical Skills 35
A. Equipment and Technology
1. Feeding devices (e.g., tubes at breast, cups, syringes, teats)
2. Handling and storage of human milk
3. Nipple devices (e.g., shields, everters)
4. Pacifiers
5. Pumps
6. Scales
7. Communication technology
8. Websites
B. Education and Communication
1. Active listening
2. Anticipatory guidance
3. Care plan development and sharing
4. Documentation
5. Educating mothers and families
6. Educating professionals, peers, and student
7. Extending the duration of breastfeeding
8. Emotional support
9. Empowerment
10. Group support
C. Ethical and Legal Issues
1. Breastfeeding in public
2. Clinical competencies
3. Code of Professional Conduct (CPC)
4. Principles of confidentiality
5. WHO code –advocacy and policy
D. Research
1. Apply research in practice
2. Appraise and interpret research results
3. Use research to help develop policies and protocols
E. Public Health and Advocacy
1. Advocate for Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI)
2. Advocate for compliance with World Health Organization International Code of Marketing of Breast milk Substitutes (WHO Code)
3. Advocate for mother / baby in healthcare system
4. Develop breastfeeding-related policies