IABLE’s Deep Dive: An Expansive Breastfeeding & Lactation Medicine Curriculum

2027-2029 Application

What is Deep Dive?

Deep Dive is a rigorous 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. 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 & Lactation Medicine’s (NABBLM) blueprint for their board certification examination.

Deep Dive is an Accredited Program to prepare for the North American Board of Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine (NABBLM) Examination.

Participation is not limited to those who plan to sit for the NABBLM certification exam. This course covers all aspects of clinical breastfeeding and lactation medicine and is an essential program for any physician or other provider who intends to practice breastfeeding and lactation medicine.

When Does Deep Dive Start?

The next cohort starts April 1, 2027.

Are There Any Educational Requirements to Enroll in Deep Dive?

Applicants must demonstrate a certificate of IABLE Core Content completion to be accepted as a participant into Deep Dive. The Core Content completion certificate must be dated on or after January 1, 2025.

Most participants are physicians, and a minority are nurse practitioners, midwives, and physician assistants. We encourage all participants to have training and experience in medical diagnosis and treatment. Enrollment is open to anyone worldwide. We apply equity pricing and we encourage participants in low- and middle-income countries to let us know in the application below or contact us.

What if I want to do Core Content first to see if Deep Dive is right for me?

Everyone who applies for Deep Dive must have already finished Core Content. Enrolling in Core Content does not require subsequent participation in Deep Dive. In general, we have found that Core Content completion is a great start to understand the scope of breastfeeding and lactation medicine and enables physicians and other providers to answer common breastfeeding questions and address basic breastfeeding problems. However, it is not enough education to prepare a physician to practice as a breastfeeding and lactation medicine specialist.

How is Deep Dive Structured?

Each participant should anticipate approximately 6 hours of learning each month, through a combination of self-directed learning activities and one cohort monthly webinar with subject matter experts. The large group webinar discussions are scheduled for the 3rd or 4th Wednesday evening of each month, 6:30-8:00pm CST, other than holiday months. Although live attendance is strongly encouraged, recordings are available. The following is the list of dates for the group webinar discussions:

Orientation – Thursday, April 1st, 2027, 5:30-8:30pm CST
2027 – 4/28, 5/26, 6/30, 7/28, 8/25, 9/29, 10/27, 12/8
2028 – 1/26, 2/23, 3/29, 4/26, 5/31, 6/28, 7/26, 8/30, 9/27, 10/25, 12/6
2029 – 1/31, 2/28

Accreditation

CME: The AAFP has reviewed Deep Dive and deemed it acceptable for Enduring Materials, Self-Study AAFP Prescribed credits. Each month will be approximately 6 CMEs and will be awarded separately. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

What About Clinical Mentoring?

Participants of Deep Dive will be encouraged to simultaneously work with a mentor who is a Board-Certified (or Board-Eligible) Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine specialist, to gain clinical experience. IABLE instructors also provide virtual mentorship throughout the course.

Cost

Cost: IABLE Premium Members (total for 2 years)
Earlybird: $4100
Regular: $4500

2-Payment Option (total cost is higher due to administrative fees)
$3500 due now, $1500 balance due March 1st, 2028

Cost: Non-Members (total for 2 years)
Earlybird: $4170
Regular: $4570

2-Payment Option (total cost is higher due to administrative fees)
$3570 due now, $1500 balance due March 1st, 2028

Early bird pricing is not applied to the 2-payment plan option.
You must be logged in to receive the Premium Member discount.
Early bird pricing ends at midnight (CST,UTC,GMT-6) December 15th, 2026.

Applying for Deep Dive

  • A certificate of Core Content completion is required when applying for Deep Dive participation.
  • Core Content must be completed after January 2025.
  • Applications for Deep Dive will close February 15th, 2027.
  • Applications will be approved when the IABLE team verifies completion of Core Content.
  • Individuals with approved applications will receive an invoice, which must be paid by March 1st, 2027.

Deep Dive Cancellation

  • Cancel by 2/28/27 for 75% refund (to cover admin and credit card fees)
  • Cancel between 2/28/27- 5/31/27 for 50% refund
  • Cancel after 5/31/27, no refund – see information below about the option to switch cohorts
  • The balance of the payment which is not refunded is not transferable to a future cohort

Switching Deep Dive Cohorts

There have been people who find themselves in situations where they cannot keep up with Deep Dive and request switching to the next year’s cohort. The IABLE policy for those who would like to switch to the 2028-2030 Deep Dive Cohort:

  • If Deep Dive registration is before 3/1/27, there will be no administrative fee and no payment for the difference in registration fees.
  • If Deep Dive registration is after 3/1/27, there will be an administrative fee of $700.00, and no payment for the difference in registration fees.
  • All work done in a previous cohort will count towards completion.
  • No refund is given for those who switch cohorts, unless their refund request aligns within the dates of the Deep Dive Cancellation Policy above.
  • This policy does not apply to those who have been in Deep Dive for more than 1 year.

Membership

All participants will be granted an IABLE Premium Membership for the 2-year duration of Deep Dive. Information about our Premium Membership is here.

Scholarships

IABLE has a limited number of scholarships for health professional students in training, or for those who live and work in countries that qualify for equity pricing. You can designate your need for a scholarship in the Deep Dive application process below.

Core Topics

Low Milk Production
Medical Breast Pathology
Surgical Breast Pathology
Infant Oromotor
Peripartum Management
Infant Growth
Research
Mental Health
Lactation Induction
Prematurity
Infant Illness
Hospitalization
International Code and Emergencies
Contraception and Fertility
Substance Use Disorder
Multiples and Complementary Feeding
Milk Properties and Banking
Health Equity
Patient Education
Feeding Behavior/FPIAP
Maternal/Parental Health

For a number of reasons it is our policy not to permit registration for our events, nor access to the recordings without prior registration, after the event has occurred. These include policies of our accreditors and speakers, technical issues, and fairness to everyone who has registered.