CLSS™ For Parents

Understanding the Value of Working With a Certified Lactation Support Specialist™

Bringing a baby into the world comes with many questions, especially around feeding. Whether you are preparing to breastfeed, pump, combination feed, or are still exploring your options, having the right kind of support matters.

A Certified Lactation Support Specialist™ (CLSS™) is a trained professional who provides evidence-informed, family-centered lactation education and support, working alongside, not in place of, clinical healthcare providers.

This page explains what CLSS™ professionals do, how they support families, and how to know if working with a CLSS™ is right for you.

What Is a Certified Lactation Support Specialist™ (CLSS™)?

A CLSS™ is a credentialed lactation support professional certified by Birthwork Institute™. CLSS™ certificants have demonstrated verified knowledge, applied skills, and ethical practice in providing non-clinical lactation education and support.

CLSS™ professionals often include doulas, childbirth educators, nurses, peer counselors, and other perinatal professionals who integrate lactation support into their work.

What this means for families:
You are working with someone who has met formal standards, practices within a clearly defined scope, and is committed to ethical, respectful, and inclusive care.

How a CLSS™ Can Support You

CLSS™ professionals support families before and after birth, helping you build confidence and understanding around feeding your baby.

A CLSS™ may help with:

• Prenatal preparation for breastfeeding, pumping, or combination feeding
• Understanding normal newborn feeding behaviors and expectations for milk supply
• Early latch and positioning education
• Setting realistic expectations for the first days and weeks
• Common, non-medical challenges such as engorgement, nipple discomfort, or pumping basics
• Bottle introduction and paced bottle feeding
• Emotional support and reassurance during feeding transitions
• Helping you recognize when additional clinical support may be needed

CLSS™ support is educational, practical, and relationship-based, grounded in evidence and respect for your family’s goals.

What a CLSS™ Does Not Do

CLSS™ professionals practice within a non-clinical scope of care.

They do not:

• Diagnose medical conditions
• Provide medical treatment
• Prescribe medications, herbs, or supplements
• Diagnose tongue or lip ties or low milk supply
• Replace care from an IBCLC, physician, or other licensed healthcare provider

When concerns fall outside their scope, CLSS™ professionals are trained to refer promptly and appropriately to clinical lactation professionals or healthcare providers.

This boundary protects families and ensures coordinated, safe care.

How CLSS™ Professionals Work With Your Care Team

CLSS™ professionals are trained to collaborate respectfully with:

• IBCLCs
• Midwives
• Nurses
• Physicians
• Pediatric providers
• Community health programs

Their role helps bridge gaps in access, timing, and continuity of support, especially when clinical lactation care is limited or delayed.

For families, this means more consistent support, clearer communication, and fewer moments where you are left without guidance.

Why Certification Matters

Not all lactation support looks the same. Certification helps families understand who has met verified standards.

CLSS™ certification means that the professional has:

• Completed approved lactation education or demonstrated equivalent experience
• Met documented experience requirements supporting families
• Passed a standardized certification examination
• Agreed to follow a Code of Ethics and defined Scope of Practice
• Committed to ongoing education and renewal

Certification is one way families can make informed, confident choices about their care.

How to Verify a CLSS™ Professional

All active CLSS™ certificants are listed in the public CLSS™ Registry, maintained by Birthwork Institute™.

Families can use the registry to:

• Confirm a professional’s certification status
• Ensure the credential is current and active

If a professional claims to hold the CLSS™ credential, they should be able to be verified.

Choosing the Right Support for Your Family

Every family’s feeding journey is unique. A CLSS™ professional may be a good fit if you are looking for:

• Evidence-informed, non-judgmental guidance
• Support that respects your values and choices
• Clear boundaries and ethical practice
• Collaboration, not pressure
• Education that empowers you to make informed decisions

If your situation involves medical complexity, a CLSS™ can help you navigate next steps and connect with appropriate clinical care.

Our Commitment to Families

Birthwork Institute™ upholds strict standards for:

• Fairness and non-discrimination
• Ethical conduct
• Clear scope of practice
• Public accountability

The CLSS™ credential exists to improve access, confidence, and continuity of lactation support, so families are never left navigating feeding alone.