Find out About ALCI

The Association of Lactation Consultants in Ireland is known as ALCI. ALCI is an All-Ireland Association representing and promoting International Board Certified Lactation Consultants, known as 'IBCLC’s' in Ireland, as an unincorporated society. It is run by a voluntary council of IBCLC’s assisted by administrative support. The primary responsibility is to provide education services to members and other health care workers concerned with breastfeeding and human lactation. Area’s prioritised are educational events, growing the profile of ALCI, and encouraging and supporting those on the path to becoming an IBCLC.

ALCI is an All-Ireland Association representing and promoting IBCLC’s in Ireland, as an unincorporated society.  It is run by a voluntary council of IBCLC’s assisted by administrative support. The primary responsibility is to provide education services to members and other health care workers concerned with breastfeeding and human lactation. Area’s prioritised are educational events, growing the profile of ALCI, and encouraging and supporting those on the path to becoming an IBCLC.

Read ALCI Constitution's for more information. ALCI's Constitution  

International Lactation Consultant Association:ALCI is a Global partner of International Lactation Consultant Association, known as ILCA.  ILCA is a founding and participating member of World Alliance for Breastfeeding (WABA). And has NGO status with World Health Organisations and United Nations organizations such as UNICEF. WBTi:ALCI has actively collaborated within the Irish core working group for the World Breastfeeding Trends Initiative (WBTi). The WBTi plays a crucial role in helping countries assess and benchmark their progress in implementing the Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding. This initiative utilizes the World Health Organization's tool for the national assessment of policies and programs related to infant and young child feeding. By focusing on the ten parameters of policy and programs that safeguard, promote, and support optimal infant and young child feeding practices, the WBTi helps countries measure their strengths and weaknesses in this critical area. Elacta:ALCI is a member of  ELACTA, the European Lactation Consultants Alliance. ELACTA unites IBCLCs in Europe (and beyond) and is involved in all aspects of the promotion, protection and support of breastfeeding at local, national and European levels, reaching out to the global lactation community. The international Code on the Marketing of breastmilk substitutes (WHO CODE) “Breast-milk substitute” means in this context, any food being marketed or otherwise represented as a partial or total replacement for breast milk, whether or not suitable for that purpose. “Complementary food” means any food, suitable as a complement to breast-milk or to infant formula, when either becomes insufficient, to satisfy the nutritional requirements of the infant. May also be called “weaning food” or “breast-milk supplement”. The aim of the CODE is to contribute to the provision of safe and adequate nutrition for infants, by the protection and promotion of breast-feeding and by ensuring the proper use of breastmilk substitutes, when these are necessary, on the basis of adequate information and through appropriate marketing and distribution. The CODE applies to the marketing and practices related to the following products: breast-milk substitutes, including infant formula, other milk products, foods and beverages including bottle-fed complementary foods, when marketed or otherwise represented to be suitable, for use as a partial or total replacement of breast-milk. It also applies to feeding bottles and teats, their quality and availability and to the information concerning their use. Baby Feeding Law Group (Known as 'BFLGI') advocate for protection of infant and maternal health through the strengthening of Irish legislation, regulations, guidance and policies to bring them in line with the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk substitutes (WHO CODE) and subsequent relevant World Health Assembly Resolutions. BFLGI monitor the advertising, marketing and promotional activities of the above. They challenge activities that mislead or fail to comply with agreed marketing standards. They work collaboratively with other like minded organisations and represent Ireland as a member of the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN). To report a Code Violation, simply fill out the report found by clicking here.