How to Stay in Scope as a Doula and Still Offer Breastfeeding Support

You Don’t Need to Be an IBCLC to Offer Powerful Lactation Support

You became a doula to walk beside families, not to freeze up when feeding questions come your way.

But if you’ve ever second-guessed yourself when a client asked about pumping, flange sizes, or latch pain, you’re not alone. So many brilliant, experienced birthworkers quietly carry that fear: What if I say the wrong thing? What if I’m out of scope?

Here’s what too many trainings skip over is:

You don’t need to be an IBCLC to offer impactful, ethical lactation support.

You just need clear guidance on what is in your scope, and practical tools you can use right away.

What Lactation Support Is Actually in Scope for Doulas?

Let’s clear this up first. As a non-IBCLC birthworker, your scope does include:

Educating clients prenatally about normal infant feeding
Offering emotional support and encouragement
Helping families understand pump basics and flange sizing
Modeling how to identify early feeding cues
Supporting latch positioning (without diagnosing issues)
Referring out clearly and confidently when challenges arise

In other words: you can be the bridge. You don’t have to solve every feeding problem. But you can help families feel more grounded, more seen, and less overwhelmed.

Why So Many Doulas Feel Stuck Here

Most certification programs either:

Skip lactation entirely, or
Say things like “just refer to an IBCLC”

That’s not enough.

You end up over-referring, not because your client needed more than you could offer, but because you weren’t sure what you were allowed to do.

And after a while? That second-guessing shows up in your confidence. Your pricing. Your ability to lead.

But let’s reframe that:

You’re not underqualified. You’re under-supported.

What Real-World Lactation Training for Doulas Looks Like

Feeding questions don’t show up in a classroom. They show up in texts at 2am. During postpartum visits when someone hasn’t slept. In a phone call where a parent whispers, *"I think something’s wrong but I don’t know what."

Real-life lactation support for doulas looks like:

Having words for how to explain pumping without overwhelming
Knowing when to refer without fear or shame
Being able to say, "That’s actually really common, let me walk you through it"

This isn’t about cramming in more information. It’s about building trust—with your clients and with yourself.

You Deserve to Feel Equipped, Not Afraid

You got into this work to make a difference. You don’t need another 90-hour certification to do that.

You just need:

A clear understanding of your legal and ethical scope
Mentorship that doesn’t talk down to you
Tools that feel doable and relevant for your everyday practice

And most importantly? A community that gets the unique role doulas play in feeding support.

Start Here: Free Training for Birthworkers

If this whole conversation feels like a breath of fresh air, you’re not imagining it. There’s a path forward that doesn’t require more burnout, more debt, or more gatekeeping.

Join me for a free training: Confident Lactation for Birthworkers

You'll learn exactly what’s in scope, how to talk about feeding with confidence, and what to do when things get tricky.

Because you’re already doing sacred work.

Let’s make it feel that way.

P.S. This isn’t about being the expert. It’s about being resourced enough to support families without panicking. You’re already closer than you think.

Save your seat here → https://www.birthworkinstitute...