Breastfeeding Education for Healthcare Physicians & Other Providers
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Physicians, physician-assistants, nurse practitioners, midwives and dentists who care for breastfeeding dyads often recognize the need for further training in breastfeeding medicine.
IABLE has Several Educational Offerings for Physicians & Other Providers
1) The One Day Primary Care Breastfeeding Medicine Basics for Healthcare Providers – Live or Online
IABLE’s one-day basic breastfeeding training for providers (curriculum here) instructs participants on prenatal breastfeeding education, intrapartum and early postpartum support, and differential diagnosis and management of the most common breastfeeding problems encountered by primary care providers. These problems include evaluation and management of low milk supply, breast/nipple pain, the use of medications during breastfeeding including contraception, complications in the early postpartum period, and breast pump counseling. Enroll in the eCourse version
2) 30-hour Core Content Clinical Breastfeeding Medicine Course via live webinar and/or eCourse
This intensive breastfeeding and lactation medicine course is designed for healthcare professionals looking to enhance their support for breastfeeding families or begin specializing in breastfeeding and lactation medicine. The course covers core topics and offers flexible learning options. Participants who enroll in the entire Core Content have one-year access to the course materials, which can be completed through eCourse modules (recordings from the January 2025 live webinar) and/or the annual live webinar (next scheduled for January 2026).
Participants can begin the eCourse modules immediately upon enrollment. Completion of the Core Content is a prerequisite for participating in the Deep Dive. Registration for the eCourse recordings will be open SOON!
Can I purchase just a few of the Core Content sessions, or must I purchase the entire bundle?
You have the option to purchase all sessions of Core Content as a bundle, or each session individually.
Do I need to finish all of the sessions in Core Content to earn educational credits?
You will earn credits separately for each session you complete, no matter if you purchase individual Core Content sessions or the Core Content Bundle.
How long do I have access to Core Content sessions?
If you purchase individual sessions and not the entire bundle, you have access to the courses for one year or until you finish the purchased sessions. In other words, once you finish a session, you no longer have access.
If you purchase the entire bundle, we provide access to the recordings for an entire year, including the sessions you’ve finished.
Can I finish Core Content sessions before the live Core Content Webinar in January 2026?
Yes, those who purchase the Core Content bundle can finish all Core Content sessions before January 2026. Even if you finish the e-courses, you can join live in January, because the sessions are updated each year. After the January 2026 webinar, your sessions will be updated with the 2026 versions. You will have access to all Core Content sessions for 1 year from the date you purchased the Core Content Bundle.
Do I need to finish Core Content before I start Deep Dive?
Yes, IABLE requires that participants finish Core Content before starting Deep Dive. A solid understanding of the Core Content is essential for maximizing your learning experience in Deep Dive.
3) Deep Dive – An Expansive Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine Curriculum
What is Deep Dive?
The Deep Dive is an expansive cross-disciplinary Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine Curriculum, designed to comprehensively cover requisite knowledge for physicians and other providers who intend to practice Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine. Deep Dive is an Accredited Program to prepare for the North American Board of Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine (NABBLM) Examination.
This is a 2-year curriculum comprised of blended learning for physicians and other providers. The monthly core topics are clinically focused and align with the North American Board of Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine’s blueprint for board certification examination.
When does Deep Dive start?
The Deep Dive begins with a required 1-week intensive Core Content of Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine (see above). The first cohort of Deep Dive participants began in April 2024. Registration is now open for the April 2025-March 2027 Cohort here.
How is Deep Dive structured?
Each month focuses on one or more topics that align with the North American Board of Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine’s blueprint for their board certification examination. Each participant should anticipate 6 hours of learning each month, through a combination of optional small group work, independent learning activities, and large group discussion.
Both CME and CERP educational credits are awarded for the monthly Deep Dive modules.
What about clinical mentoring?
Participants of Deep Dive will be encouraged to simultaneously work with a mentor who is a board-certified Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine specialist, to gain clinical experience and fulfill the NABBLM mentoring requirements for board certification.
4) The Annual Hot Topics Clinical Breastfeeding Medicine Conference
This symposium is designed for health professionals who currently practice breastfeeding medicine, or who plan to in the future. Its learning format allows for in depth discussions among participants on innovative strategies to manage various complex breastfeeding medicine problems. We also build in social time to connect on a deeper level and form long lasting friendships. It really has been a blast!
Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date with our course registrations (if you’ve attended any of our events you’re already signed up)!
Save the date for our next conference! September 10-12, 2025, in Annapolis, MD!
5) The 2nd Sunday Breastfeeding Medicine Case Discussion Series (Accredited, No Charge)
These monthly webinars feature a presenter leading a case discussion on a breastfeeding medicine topic. This learning format allows participants to share their experiences and ideas on strategies to evaluate, diagnose, and /or manage various complex breastfeeding medicine problems. This case series is conducted at a physician/provider level and is suitable for anyone who works directly to support lactating dyads. Info/Registration
6) The Little Green Book of Breastfeeding Management for Physicians and Other Healthcare Providers
7) Breastfeeding Medicine Podcast
The Breastfeeding Medicine Podcast is a free monthly podcast which highlights recent and intriguing research about human milk and clinical lactation.
• Please join our Breastfeeding Medicine Podcast facebook page to share comments and questions!
8) Clinical Question & LactFacts
Every other week IABLE reviews a recent policy statement or other major article that has an impact on best practices in the care of breastfeeding/lactating families. Reading these are not only quick and easy, but will help you feel more confident when counseling on breastfeeding. These are available on our website, and also sent via our newsletter.
Our LactFacts App is being revised and is not currently available.
9) Become an IABLE Premium Member
10) Does IABLE offer comprehensive education with sufficient CERPs or CMEs to sit for the IBCLE or North American Board of Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine exam?
IABLE is conducting its second annual Deep Dive Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine longitudinal course starting in April 2025. This 2-year course will offer at least 6 CMEs and CERPs each month for 22 months. This is a didactic course, and although it does not include face-face mentoring, the course will enable frequent communication among participants to discuss clinical cases.
Other options for CERP and CME credits:
- • Our monthly healthcare series– 1 CERP and CME per month (most are free)
- • Our monthly case discussion series– 1.5 CERPS and CMEs per month (most are free)
- • IABLE e-courses
- • Special events each year, such as our free Abstract Day during World Breastfeeding Week August 22nd 2025