The International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) and the International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA) have conferred the IBCLC Care Award upon The BestFeeding Club over its commitment to professional care standards.

With the organisation described as a standout provider in the field of lactation services, the award was said to be in recognition of the club’s employment of professionals holding the International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) credential, regarded as the gold standard in breastfeeding support.

Beyond staffing qualified professionals, the facility also demonstrated that it has completed a range of activities dedicated to protecting, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding.

These completed initiatives formed a critical component of the award evaluation, signalling that The BestFeeding Club is not merely employing certified staff but actively advancing breastfeeding-friendly practices.

The IBCLC credential is the leading internationally recognised certification for professional lactation services, and those who hold it work across diverse settings, including hospitals, birthing centres, clinics, public health agencies, private practices, community organisations, government agencies, and research institutions.

IBCLCs are trained to focus on preventive care, making themselves available during pregnancy to assess needs and provide guidance on successfully initiating breastfeeding.

Their support continues after birth, helping families overcome breastfeeding challenges, offering accurate information, and remaining a resource as the baby grows.

These professionals also assist families returning to work or school, support those in unusual circumstances such as nursing twins or caring for sick or premature infants, and help train nursing staff to manage basic breastfeeding care.

Neelam Jawad, Chair of the Board of Directors of IBLCE, described the profound impact of certified lactation consultants, noting that IBCLCs bring skilled, compassionate care to families during some of their most vulnerable moments.

Jawad explained that these professionals provide more than clinical support, offering reassurance, confidence, and compassion when it matters most, and said the organisation proudly recognises and deeply appreciates the CARE Award recipients for the heartfelt difference they make every day.

Maxine Scringer-Wilkes BN, MN, RN, IBCLC, President of ILCA, extended congratulations to the 2026 IBCLC Care Award recipients, expressing gratitude for their continued commitment to promoting, supporting, and protecting breastfeeding through the employment of IBCLCs.

Scringer-Wilkes added that investment in skilled lactation care to carry out innovative initiatives and training strengthens the continuation of family-centred care from hospital through community.

According to data from the IBLCE, there are currently nearly over 38,000 IBCLC professionals practising in 136 countries worldwide. The IBCLC certification programme is accredited by the NCCA, the accreditation arm of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence, with NCCA accreditation representing a mark of quality and excellence for professional certification programmes.