Questions about the lactation hours log
What the log counts and what it does not decide, where your entries live, and how the printouts relate to the certifying body's own documents. For the requirements themselves, start with hours by pathway, or open your hours log.
Frequently asked questions
Does Lactation Ledger tell me whether I can sit the exam?
No. Lactation Ledger does not determine eligibility. The certifying body decides eligibility. It totals the hours you log and shows them against the published pathway numbers, with the source named, so you can see what is missing.
Is this site part of the IBCLC Commission or IBLCE?
No. Lactation Ledger is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE), the IBCLC Commission, the Certification Board for Diabetes Care and Education (CBDCE) or any other certifying body. IBCLC and CDCES are certification marks of their owners. It names them only to say whose published requirements it summarises.
Where are my hours stored?
Only in this browser, on this device. There is no account and nothing you log is uploaded. Export a backup file from the log page now and then, because clearing your browser's site data deletes the log.
Should I type patient or family names into the log?
No. The log has no field for a patient and does not need one: hours are counted by date, minutes, setting and activity. Keep notes general, such as a latch assessment or a feeding plan follow up, so the log never holds health information about anyone.
Why do my shadowing hours show as not counted?
The Candidate Information Guide says observation or shadowing of lactation practitioners does not count as lactation specific clinical hours. The log keeps the entry so your record is complete, and leaves it out of every pathway total.
Which pathway should I pick?
The one you are actually following. Pathway 1 is for recognised health professionals and recognised breastfeeding support counsellors, Pathway 2 is an accredited lactation academic programme, and Pathway 3 is a mentorship plan verified before you earn hours. The progress page shows all three totals so you can compare.
Is the printed summary an official form?
No. It is our own layout of your numbers by setting and month, to help you fill in the certifying body's own calculator or answer an audit. The certifying body's documents and forms are the ones you submit.
What happens to hours older than five years?
They stay in your log but drop out of the totals once they are more than five years before your count date. The progress page lists the hours that leave the window in the next 90 days so you can plan when to apply.
Does it track recertification?
Yes, for free. Enter the date you were certified and the progress page works out your current five year cycle, then counts the practice hours and continuing education from the start of that cycle toward the 250 hours and the 75 credits, with the lactation, ethics and WHO Code minimums.
Can I use it for diabetes care and education specialist hours?
Yes. The diabetes educator pack counts diabetes care and education hours toward the 1,000 hours in five years, with at least 200 in the most recent year, the 40 hour weekly cap and the 15 continuing education hours in two years.