Almost as soon as I became an IBCLC I began to receive emails and phone calls from aspiring IBCLCs asking about my experience and advice for their own journey toward the credential. In an effort to streamline the amount of time I spent on these emails, I sat down and wrote an email template so that I could address as much of the basics at once and not have to re-write it each time. I’m now happy to be able to share this information on the Sound Beginnings’ blog so that it’s more readily available for those who want some assistance in determining the steps and if it’s the right path for them…

1. Explore prenatal education.
Consider taking a class and/or reading a book about breastfeeding/chestfeeding prior to your baby arriving. A bit of education in advance of your “on the job training” will enable you to better understand what to expect about breastfeeding/chestfeeding and your baby’s behavior in the early days. (The phrase “breastfeeding/chestfeeding” is an inclusive term to describe the act of feeding one’s baby from their breast or chest.)…

Hello, I’m Joy MacTavish, MA, IBCLC, RLC, ICCE, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, childbirth and newborn care educator, certified babywearing consultant, certified elimination communication coach, gentle sleep coach, and owner of Sound Beginnings. Welcoming someone into your home to assist your family during the vulnerabile postpartum period takes some amount of trust. That decision can be aided by knowing more about who you’re trusting. To that end, I wanted to share some of my history and what has drawn me to the role of a perinatal professional…