Elizabeth C. Brooks, JD, IBCLC (LLC)

09/04/2026

Heading north to do an in-person conference! I'm looking forward to presenting at the 2026 NEPA Breastfeeding Symposium on September 26, 2026 in Kingston, PA.

My talk is "Legal and Ethical Issues 101 for IBCLCs and Lactation Support Providers," and yes I will be addressing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in lactation work! A line-up of other great speakers will cover maternal mental health, trauma-informed care, and maternal-child health.

Group pricing is available for organizations registering three or more attendees.

Learn more/register:

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06/06/2026

Just got back from a lactation-advocacy-rejuvenating few days at the U. S. Breastfeeding Committee's in-person conference in Washington DC. But enough about me. If you are in Lactation Land there are TWO MUST HAVE resources to have in your toolbox for lactation clinical care and advocacy:

(1) The free-to-download NASEM Report, published Sept 2025, is a study commissioned by a bipartisan Congressional order (you read that right: Bipartisan, in this day and age) seeking research and data on to support lactation in the USA.

https://www.nationalacademies.org/projects/DBASSE-BCYF-23-06/publication/29118

(2) U. S. Breastfeeding Committee National Strategy Plan for Infant Nutrition Security is a just-released multi-layered toolkit-rich approach to lactation support and advocacy. A two-pager (link below) describes the seven-part plan. Those of you who are familiar with the 2011 Surgeon General's Call to Action will see similar themes and objectives ... brought to 2026 levels for action.

https://breastfeedingcommunities.org/app/uploads/2026/06/National-Strategy-Fact-Sheet.pdf

05/14/2026

Whoo Hoo the ILCA position paper on role and impact of the IBCLC is now open access! Thank you!!

Why IBCLCs Matter 💜 The Role and Impact of IBCLCs

IBCLCs are internationally credentialed lactation experts who play a key role in supporting breastfeeding families through counseling, clinical expertise, education, and advocacy to optimize infant feeding practices and maternal-child health outcomes. IBCLCs must meet stringent eligibility criteria, including completing lactation and health science education, clinical hours, and passing a comprehensive examination.

🔹 Improved breastfeeding outcomes. IBCLCs have a positive impact on breastfeeding initiation, duration, and exclusivity.
🔹 Healthcare cost savings. The integration of IBCLC services has been shown to lower healthcare expenditures by reducing costly infant conditions.
🔹 Equity and access. Services provided by IBCLCs help close access gaps, especially among underserved populations.

Find more details and extensive references in the full paper here, now available in open access 👉 https://doi.org/10.1177/08903344261434475

Ahmed, A. H., Rojjanasrirat, W., Malik, S., Mandell, L., Ansell, M., & Zakarija-Grković, I. (2026). The Role and Impact of the IBCLC: Updated Position Paper. Journal of human lactation : official journal of International Lactation Consultant Association, 8903344261434475. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/08903344261434475.

04/29/2026

NO WAY IT'S ABOUT TIME!

"The Role and Impact of the IBCLC: Updated Position Paper" from ILCA was just published (24 April 2026) as an "Online First" article from JHL.

The original was issued in 2011 and I think I may be weeping tears of joy that the professional association FOR IBCLCs has seen fit, 15 years later, to update an evidence-based advocacy article ABOUT IBCLCs.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/08903344261434475

04/25/2026

How cool is the Philadelphia Maternity Care Coalition? This vending machine offers FREE childcare/women's health products. It is in the lobby of Temple's Women and Families Hospital, a Baby-Friendly birthing facility that also has obstetric and pediatric care offices in the same building. In the lobby: the WIC office. WHY AREN'T ALL BIRTHING HOSPITALS LIKE THIS? On 28 April 2026 I will be on-line with MCC's Doula Professional Development series ("Do Lactation and Booze or Cannabis Mix? The Ethics of Consults with parents Who Party"). Last week 23 April 2026 I was with the good folx at LLL-CT at their Healthcare Provider Seminar ("Ethics Pulse Check! The Crossroads of the International Code, Racism-based Health Disparities, and Lactation Support").

04/04/2026

Going live in Reading!, PA 7 April 2026 it is "Dazed and Confused After Discharge: Breastfeeding Support is Different Once Families Go Home," my closer at the Tower Health-Reading Hospital Maternal Child Health Conference. IYKYK! Bottom line: Days 0-3 sets the tone for months and years of happy lactation and better health. Bad news: It doesn't take much to mess things up and derail a family's infant feeding goals. Good news: It is easy peasy to Do Better with continuity of care from hospital-to-home.