The International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners® (IBLCE®) and International Lactation Consultant Association® (ILCA®) have recognized the Lactation Care Team of Nathan Littauer Hospital for excellence in lactation care.

“We’re proud to introduce new technology and medical approaches in breastfeeding support,” says Littauer’s, RN, IBCLC, Nancy Quinlan. “Our patients are excited. We are one of the seven New York State hospitals that applied and received this award for 2021-2023. We are a medical practice leader, and our breastfeeding support services remained strong during the pandemic.”

The Lactation Care Team of Nathan Littauer Hospital has received the 2021 IBCLC Care Award in recognition for staffing professionals who hold the prestigious International Board Certified Lactation Consultant® (IBCLC®) certification and providing a lactation program for breastfeeding families.

Marin Skariah, MSN, FNP-BC, RNC-MNN, C-EFM, IBCLC, and Chair of the Board of IBLCE, recently stated, “Institutions that are awarded the IBCLC Care Award have dedicated their efforts to promote and provide a lactation program that makes expert assistance available when the breastfeeding family needs it. Through the presentation of this Award, IBLCE honors the work of IBCLCs around the world as they strive to advance global public health by providing expert lactation care to families and by promoting breastfeeding care to other healthcare professionals through advocacy and training.”

IBCLCs focus on preventive care, so they are available during pregnancy to assess and provide information on how to successfully assist with 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 more unusual situations such as breastfeeding more than one baby or nursing a sick or premature infant, and help train nursing staff to manage basic breastfeeding care.

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 in research. There are currently more than 33,400 such professionals in 125 countries and territories worldwide that are IBCLCs (www.iblce.org). The IBCLC certification program is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).  NCCA accreditation represents a mark of quality for certification program.

In addition to finding IBCLC professionals at Nathan Littauer Hospital, families can also find an IBCLC near them by visiting www.ilca.org. Follow the “Find a Lactation Consultant” link and search for an IBCLC by postal code, city and state, or country.   

For more information on Littauer’s Lactation Services, or the Lactation Care Team, visit their website at For more information about the IBCLC Care Award program, contact IBLCE at award@iblce.org.   

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About Nathan Littauer

Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home is a full-service, 74 bed acute care hospital with an 84 bed skilled nursing home. Since 1894, Nathan Littauer has provided safe, high-quality health and wellness services with a focus on securing appropriate new technologies for people residing in Upstate New York. Over the years, the hospital has expanded its services in order to offer health care that is comprehensive, accessible, and relevant to the needs of the communities they serve.  More information can be found by visiting www.nlh.org.