As a Baby-Friendly hospital, UAB is dedicated to helping new moms provide the best care for their newborns. 
The International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners and International Lactation Consultant Association have recognized University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital for excellence in lactation care.
“UAB is destined to be the preferred academic medical center of the 21st century,” said Elicia Jacob, DNP, director of Nursing for the UAB Women and Infants Center. “Part of this journey involves a commitment to improving the health and well-being of our community. The IBCLC Care Award is an added seal of approval that is reflective of our efforts.”
UAB Women and Infants Services has received the IBCLC Care Award in recognition of staffing professionals who hold the prestigious International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant certification and providing a lactation program for breastfeeding families. In addition, the facility demonstrated that it has recently completed activities that help protect, promote and support breastfeeding.
“Facilities that receive the IBCLC Care Award have taken the initiative to improve the overall health of their patients by making breastfeeding a priority and implementing lactation support programs,” said Regina Maria Roig-Romero, board chair of IBLCE. “An important part of providing excellent breastfeeding care is having expert assistance available when the breastfeeding family needs it. IBCLC professionals are the health care professionals best suited to help families achieve their breastfeeding goals.”
IBCLCs focus on preventive care, so they are available during pregnancy to assess and provide information on how to successfully initiate breastfeeding. They continue that assistance after the baby is born by helping families overcome breastfeeding challenges, providing accurate information and continuing to support them as their baby grows. They assist families returning to work or school, help families in situations like breastfeeding more than one baby or nursing a sick or premature infant, and help train nursing staff to manage basic breastfeeding care.
“IBCLCs help families realize the most precious bond with their children,” said Michele Griswold, president of ILCA. “They also assist families in providing their children with the best possible start in life. At ILCA, we are proud to support the IBCLC Care Award because we recognize the significant contributions of IBCLCs to improving global health outcomes at the local level.”
As allied health care professionals with the leading internationally recognized certification for professional lactation services, IBCLC professionals work in hospitals and birthing centers, clinics, public health agencies, private practice, community settings, government agencies, and research. There are more than 28,000 such professionals in 105 countries worldwide who are IBCLCs, a person independently accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. NCCA accreditation represents a mark of quality for certification programs.