Purpose of the CLSS™ Role
The Certified Lactation Support Specialist™ (CLSS™) is a skilled professional trained to provide accessible, evidence-based lactation education and support for families throughout the prenatal and postpartum periods. CLSS™ certificants play a vital role in improving access to quality lactation care and strengthening continuity across the perinatal spectrum.
They offer compassionate, respectful guidance that complements, but does not replace, the clinical care provided by lactation professionals, physicians, and other licensed health professionals.
General Scope
CLSS™ professionals operate within a non-clinical, educational, and supportive scope of practice. Their work centers on empowering families through:
- Prenatal lactation education and feeding preparation.
- Early postpartum support focused on positioning, latch education, and setting realistic expectations.
- Practical troubleshooting for common feeding challenges within their scope of training.
- Pumping and milk expression education, including general pump setup, flange fit basics, and milk storage guidance.
- Referrals to lactation professionals or healthcare providers when a situation exceeds the CLSS™ scope of practice.
Within Scope
CLSS™ certificants may:
- Educate and support families on normal lactation physiology, newborn feeding behaviors, and early milk production.
- Provide anticipatory guidance on what to expect in the first hours and days after birth.
- Assist in prenatal planning and education, including creating or supporting feeding plans aligned with the family’s goals.
- Demonstrate and coach families on general latch and positioning techniques.
- Offer guidance for common, non-pathological concerns such as:
- Perceived low milk supply
- Engorgement
- Nipple tenderness or discomfort
- Plugged ducts
- Pumping and milk storage
- Bottle introduction and paced bottle feeding
- When properly trained, support families in using alternative feeding methods, such as syringe, cup, or finger feeding, as recommended by a healthcare provider or a lactation professional.
- When properly trained, educate families on basic flange fit and comfort, including how to use a flange sizing tool or kit for self-assessment, and refer to a lactation professional for individualized recommendations or if concerns persist.
- Facilitate client self-advocacy by helping parents identify when additional clinical care is needed and how to access it.
- Collaborate and communicate with lactation professionals and other healthcare providers as part of a coordinated care team.
- Document and maintain records appropriately for one’s role on the care team, following professional, ethical, and privacy standards.
Outside Scope
CLSS™ certificants must not:
- Perform medical assessments, diagnoses, or treatment.
- Create or modify feeding plans for complex medical conditions (e.g., failure to thrive, hypoglycemia, congenital anomalies, NICU feeding challenges).
- Diagnose oral restrictions such as tongue/lip ties.
- Recommend or adjust medications, herbs, or supplements.
- Perform weighted feeds for diagnostic purposes.
- Provide individualized clinical recommendations about pump selection, flange sizing, or milk supply management.
- Present themselves as lactation professionals or provide clinical lactation consultation unless separately credentialed.
Collaboration and Referral
CLSS™ certificants are expected to:
- Recognize when client needs exceed their scope of practice.
- Refer promptly and appropriately to lactation professionals, healthcare providers, or other specialists.
- Maintain respectful and collaborative relationships within the lactation and perinatal care community.
Ethical Standards
All certificants must:
- Adhere to the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice set forth by Birthwork Institute™.
- Maintain professional boundaries, cultural humility, and respectful care practices.
- Practice within their training and certification limits at all times.
Summary
CLSS™ certificants bridge the gap between community-based lactation education and clinical care, offering accessible, evidence-based, and compassionate support that improves feeding experiences and outcomes for families while honoring professional scope and boundaries.
Last updated: December 2025
