The International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) mission and purpose focus on the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding. Therefore, it is appropriate for IBLCE to make allowances for exam candidates who are also the mothers of exclusively breastfed babies. It is necessary that these allowances meet all the requirements for ensuring IBLCE exam security while at the same time offering reasonable solutions that will allow mothers of exclusively breastfed babies to feed their babies and preserve the breastfeeding relationship.
The morning and afternoon sessions of the exam are a maximum of two and one-half (2 ½) hours long. A lunch break is provided between exam sessions. Most exam candidates take about two hours to complete each exam session. All candidates who are breastfeeding mothers may choose to feed their babies or express milk before the morning exam session begins and during the lunch break between exam sessions. For the majority of breastfeeding exam candidates, this option is entirely satisfactory. Mothers of exclusively breastfed babies may need to take a break to breastfeed more often.
The value of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life is a global public health recommendation that is outlined in the World Health Organization publication “Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding” and IBLCE wholeheartedly endorses this recommendation. Accordingly, IBLCE provides allowances that permit the mothers of young exclusively breastfed babies to take breaks for the purpose of breastfeeding their babies during the hours of exam administration. Many breastfeeding mothers have taken the exam to be certified as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). During the 2010 exam administration this week, about 15 women breastfed their babies.
The request for breastfeeding breaks must be noted on the exam application form and substantiated by documentation of the baby's birth date, such as a copy of the baby's birth certificate or a signed letter from the healthcare provider verifying the baby's birth date. Without the required documentation, the IBLCE staff cannot proceed with the necessary arrangements.
In order to provide for the need to breastfeed, an additional proctor must be available to accompany and stay with the candidate while she breastfeeds. For mothers of babies who will be 6 months and younger at the time of exam administration, IBLCE will cover the cost of hiring this additional proctor. The request for allowances to breastfeed during the exam administration must be made in advance so that arrangements for an additional proctor can be made. To ensure exam security, a well-controlled environment that does not allow cell phones, papers, food or other means of bringing in or taking out exam information is maintained.
Taking a certification test in any profession is one of the most stressful tasks in any professional’s life. In supporting breastfeeding during the test, IBLCE is also responsible for providing a standardized distraction-free environment. In the anxiety of trying to answer challenging questions, test takers do not want to hear sirens, even though an ambulance may be trying to save someone’s life, they don’t want to hear construction noise, even though a building hazard may jeopardize public safety, and they don’t want to hear a hungry baby crying, even though they love babies and are dedicating their professional lives to infant nutrition and well-being.
The IBLCE procedures allow and support breastfeeding. The IBLCE expects sufficient information and time to make the proper arrangements.
For questions about breastfeeding during the exam, click here to contact IBLCE.
Click here to view a downloadable PDF file of the current breastfeeding breaks procedure for the IBLCE exam, last updated October 13, 2010.
