Our History

With the inclusion of lactation care as a Women’s Preventive Service of the Affordable Care Act, several Massachusetts IBCLCs began meeting to address insurance reimbursement for lactation care. In the course of this work they identified the need for a professional organization that supports current IBCLCs and increases access to the profession for aspiring IBCLCs. The current version of MLCA was incorporated as a 501c3 non-profit organization in August 2017. We are grateful to our founding Board of Directors for their work in creating this organization and to subsequent Directors and members for helping to meet MLCA’s mission.  

Member Support Committee

MLCA serves its members in a variety of ways. From the monthly Latch Onto Learning Case Study Forum to the annual meeting with its free CERP perk, our members learn from one another and from other experts in the field. Members can benefit from MLCA’s lending library, IBLCE exam review sessions, and monthly book club. MLCA  activities provide the IBCLCs of Massachusetts many opportunities for networking and socializing with peers.

Access Committee

MLCA’s Access Committee works to increase access to clinical lactation care for Massachusetts families. The Access Committee identifies barriers and the key parties who can assist in removing the barriers, as well as supporting policies that integrate comprehensive lactation care into maternal health care. Specific activities include meeting with insurance providers and Department of Public Health officials, submitting recommendations for Maternal Health policy and advocating for insurance reimbursement under the Affordable Care Act preventive health provisions.

Mentorship Committee

MLCA is committed to supporting aspiring IBCLCs to join our profession. As advocates for the profession, the Massachusetts Lactation Consultant Association recognizes that we urgently need to increase access to mentorship opportunities for aspiring IBCLCs. In particular, we recognize that we must build mentorship programs that support members of under-represented communities to join our field. We invite IBCLCs to join us to learn more about mentoring and help build our network of mentors and other supporters. Learn more about the requirements to become an IBCLC. Additional information is available in the Member section. Donations to MLCA help support these efforts.