What is the national professional organization for the lactation profession?

The Association of Lactation Professionals India (ALPI), is a national-level organization for Lactation Professionals. Its official website is https://www.lactationprofessionalsindia.com/

ALPI is a national association of Lactation Professionals that provides skilled lactation care by:

• Empowering women, children, parents, and families to the best start through evidence-based education, training, and skilled lactation support
• Partnering locally, nationally, and globally to remove the barriers to breastfeeding in various settings​​
• Working both locally and nationally in communities across India

Lactation Professionals including Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs), Certified Lactation Professionals, Lactation Counselors, and other recognized certification holders with lactation coursework and/or clinical lactation experience, are all members of this thriving organization.

ALPI began in 2016, growing from the 4 founding members to the now over 200 members. The association was born out of the need for a national-level support system for lactation professionals in India, but rooted in the community-specific needs of the country.

ALPI’s Mission is to work together as a socially focused lactation association to:

• Provide knowledgeable and competent support to families through skilled lactation care
• Promote ALPI’s mission and values in the lactation field through public awareness and continued professional education and training
• Protect the practice of breastfeeding through evidence-based lactation initiatives, standards, policies, and monitoring WHO Code/ IMS Act for lactation professionals in India
• Partner with other breastfeeding-focused organizations, both locally and internationally.

ALPI has several initiatives that make it relevant and important in the Lactation Professional world. The association conducts periodic mentorship programs, meetings (online and offline), conferences, and retreats that give multiple opportunities to members to network, learn from, grow, and inspire each other.

The benefits of being a member of ALPI are many-

• Network with other Lactation Professionals
• Grow in lactation knowledge and skills
• Support families during lactation
• Attend various learning opportunities
• Get listed in the ALPI service directory
• Free monthly ALPI meet-ups
• Discounts on ALPI events and mentorship
• Annual I-LEH “Certificate of Completion” (ALPI Indian Lactation Education Hours).

ALPI is conducive to inclusivity and welcomes professionals from varied backgrounds and experiences. Be it grassroots-level support providers (ASHA workers, nurses, mothers helping other mothers) or seasoned LPs (Lactation Professionals) and IBCLCs (International Board Certified Lactation Consultants), people from medical or non-medical educational backgrounds, ALPI’s membership is open to all. The association aims for its members to create a stronger professional network, enabling a lactation-supportive ecosystem that benefits communities everywhere.