Why I Became an IBCLC as a Chiropractor — And What That Means for Your Family
When I tell people I am both a chiropractor and a certified International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, I usually get one of two responses. Either "wow that's amazing" or "wait, how does that even go together?"
It goes together more naturally than you might think. And the story of why I pursued both credentials tells you a lot about how I practice and what I believe about caring for families.
It Started With What I Was Seeing in My Office
Early in my chiropractic career I began noticing a pattern. Moms would bring their newborns in for fussiness, colic, or trouble settling, and in the course of the conversation they would mention that breastfeeding was also a struggle. Baby wasn't latching well. Feeds were taking forever. Mom was in pain. They were supplementing more than they wanted to.
I could address the nervous system piece. I could work with the baby's upper cervical spine and help reduce the tension that was affecting their suck and swallow pattern. And I would see improvement. But I kept running into the edges of my scope. There was more going on with feeding than I had the training to fully assess.
So I went and got the training.
What the IBCLC Credential Actually Means
The International Board Certified Lactation Consultant credential is the highest level of certification available in the lactation field. It requires hundreds of hours of clinical experience, specialized coursework, and a rigorous board examination. It is not a weekend certification. It is a serious clinical credential held by a relatively small number of healthcare providers worldwide.
As an IBCLC I can assess latch, oral function, milk transfer, supply, feeding dynamics, and the full range of factors that influence a breastfeeding relationship. I can do a weighted feed to measure exactly how much milk baby is transferring. I can assess for tongue tie and discuss the full picture of what is driving the challenge before anyone recommends intervention.
Combined with my chiropractic training, that means I can look at your baby's feeding challenges from two angles at once: the structural and neurological side and the lactation side. Most families have to see multiple providers to get that level of assessment. At EFC you get it in one visit.
Why This Matters More Than You Might Think
Breastfeeding challenges are one of the most common reasons moms stop breastfeeding earlier than they wanted to. And in the vast majority of cases those challenges have a root cause that is completely addressable with the right support.
The problem is that most providers only see part of the picture. A lactation consultant sees the feeding but may not be looking at the nervous system tension that is limiting the baby's range of motion. A pediatrician sees the weight gain but may not have the time or training to assess oral function in depth. A chiropractor can work with the nervous system but may not be equipped to do a full feeding assessment.
When you combine all of those lenses into one provider, you can actually get to the root of what is going on rather than addressing pieces of it separately.
My Own Experience as a Breastfeeding Mom
When I was pregnant with my son Owen I thought a lot about what our breastfeeding journey might look like. I had supported so many families through feeding challenges by that point that I knew better than to assume it would be easy just because I knew a lot about it.
Owen was born at home in our birth pool in the most peaceful, sacred birth I could have imagined. And breastfeeding, thankfully, went beautifully for us. But I also know that was not just luck. It was preparation. It was the chiropractic care I received throughout pregnancy. It was the BIRTHFIT coaching that helped me prepare my body and mind. It was the nervous system support that helped both of us transition into that postpartum season well.
Not every mom gets that experience. And for the ones who don't, I want to be the provider who can actually help.
What This Means If You Are Struggling
If you are a breastfeeding mom and something is not working, please do not give up before you have had someone look at the full picture.
That means looking at your baby's nervous system and how birth may have affected their ability to latch, suck, and coordinate the suck-swallow-breathe reflex. It means assessing oral function and whether tongue tie or other structural factors are playing a role. It means looking at your supply, your letdown, your positioning, and everything else that contributes to a successful feeding relationship.
It also means having an honest conversation about tongue tie. I see a lot of babies who have been referred for tongue tie revision before anyone has addressed the underlying nervous system tension that was making the tie so symptomatic in the first place. Revision is not always the answer. Sometimes it is. But nervous system first is always the right starting point.
You Deserve a Provider Who Sees the Whole Picture
Breastfeeding is hard enough without having to coordinate care across multiple providers and hope they are communicating with each other. At Essence Family Chiropractic you get a chiropractor and an IBCLC in one place, in one visit, looking at your baby and your feeding relationship from every angle that matters.
That is why I became an IBCLC. And it is one of the things I am most proud of in my practice.
Ready to Get Support?
If you are struggling with breastfeeding and you are in Oconomowoc, Hartland, Delafield, Pewaukee, Waukesha, or the greater Lake Country area, we would love to help. Call us at 262-354-8252.
About the Author
Dr. Kate Nielsen, DC, IBCLC, BIRTHFIT Coach is the founder of Essence Family Chiropractic in Oconomowoc, WI, specializing in neurologically focused prenatal, postpartum, and pediatric care. Learn more at essencefamilychiropractic.com/about.