Two midwives from FV Thomson’s Maternity Department have earned IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) certification, the international credential for breastfeeding support specialists. This achievement represents a significant clinical milestone in infant feeding support at FV Hospital, driven by the real-world complexities these practitioners encounter daily when supporting mothers and their newborns.

Beyond certification: A commitment to understanding every mother

Before pursuing IBCLC certification, Ms Ngo Thi Thuy Kieu and Ms Le Thi Hai Phi had already received breastfeeding-support training in Vietnam. However, years of hands-on care for new mothers convinced both midwives that they needed to deepen their knowledge further.

“There were cases I’ve encountered, but when I looked into them more closely, I realised there was still a lot more to assess,” said midwife Le Thi Hai Phi.

The two women spent nearly a year studying and preparing for the IBCLC examination. The credential was established in 1985 by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE). According to IBLCE, IBCLC certification is awarded to professionals with the clinical knowledge and practical competence in breastfeeding and lactation who work alongside families within maternal and child healthcare systems.

Two midwives from FV Thomson’s Maternity Department holding their prestigious international IBCLC certificates. Photo: FV Hospital

To qualify for IBCLC certification, candidates must meet knowledge and clinical-practice requirements set out under pathways defined by IBLCE. Depending on the pathway chosen, this can involve between 500 and 1,000 hours of supervised clinical practice in breastfeeding support.

As of 2026, there are more than 39,000 certified IBCLC practitioners across 137 countries. Official IBLCE data records three certified IBCLCs in Vietnam as of March 2026. The fact that two midwives from FV Thomson have now earned this certification together marks a notable milestone for breastfeeding counselling and support at the hospital.

Breastfeeding is never a one-size-fits-all journey

One thing both midwives have come to appreciate more clearly through their study and practice is that every case needs to be considered individually.

When supporting mothers from different communities or cultural backgrounds, a lactation consultant needs to carefully observe and assess differences in physical condition, culture, habits and needs specific to each person. This is why every case calls for its own approach, rather than applying the same method to everyone.

Midwife Le Thi Hai Phi supporting a new mother with breastfeeding. Photo: FV Hospital

Situations like these mean breastfeeding counselling can’t rely on just a handful of one-size-fits-all principles. According to IBLCE, IBCLCs are trained to provide evidence-based information and care, assess the needs of both mother and baby, and coordinate with or refer to other specialists when needed. 

Midwife Ngo Thi Thuy Kieu noted that FV Thomson’s Maternity Department cares for mothers from many different countries and cultural backgrounds. This diversity calls for a more flexible approach to care, one that takes into account each mother and baby’s physical characteristics and health status, as well as each family’s individual wishes.

At FV Thomson: “No Mother Walks Alone in Her Choices”

For both midwives, breastfeeding counselling should never become pressure forcing a mother into one particular choice at all costs.

“What matters most is helping mothers build knowledge and confidence. If they run into difficulties, they should feel they can seek support instead of feeling they have to cope entirely on their own,” said Ms Thuy Kieu.

This approach is also in line with World Health Organization (WHO) guidance on breastfeeding counselling. WHO emphasises that counselling should help mothers build skills and confidence while respecting each person’s circumstances and wishes, not impose decisions or tell women what to do.

Ms Ngo Thi Thuy Kieu demonstrates breastfeeding techniques for newborns to expectant mothers at FV Hospital’s “Afternoon Tea with the Doctor” programme. Photo: FV Hospital

WHO also recommends that counselling be provided throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period, since mothers may face different challenges at each stage. Support from appropriately trained healthcare staff is an important part of this process.

For Ms Hai Phi, the value of IBCLC certification lies not only in the professional qualification itself, but in the access it provides to a body of knowledge and practice built for breastfeeding counselling on an international scale.

“Through this training, we were exposed to cases from many different countries. That gave me a broader perspective and taught me how to find and keep up with the right guidelines and evidence when counselling each individual case,” said Ms Hai Phi.

FV Thomson Maternity accompanies mothers through pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal journey. Photo: FV Hospital

At FV Thomson’s Maternity Department, FV Hospital, mothers receive care throughout their journey, from pregnancy through childbirth and into the postpartum period. A team of doctors, midwives and nurses work together to monitor the health of mother and baby, while also supporting common postpartum needs, including breastfeeding care and support. With two more midwives now IBCLC-certified, FV Thomson continues to build its specialist counselling capacity, aiming to support every family according to their individual needs and circumstances.

To learn more about FV Thomson’s Maternity Department at FV Hospital, readers can visit 6 Nguyen Luong Bang Street, Tan My Ward (formerly District 7), Ho Chi Minh City, or contact (028) 3511 3333.