Boston Association for Childbirth Education

The Boston Association for Childbirth Education (BACE) was founded in 1953 and is one of the oldest consumer-oriented childbirth organizations in the country. We are a group of parents and professionals whose goal is to provide childbirth and breastfeeding education for families and those who support them. BACE offers a comprehensive, hands-on childbirth instructor certification program along with advanced childbirth training workshops (current workshops ). We train and certify instructors in an integrated and individualized approach that ensures childbearing families have the skills, information and support they need. In addition, BACE provides referrals to qualified childbirth instructors and other perinatal services and care providers in the area. The Nursing Mothers' Council (NMC) was founded as an integral part of BACE in 1962. Its primary mission is to offer support and information to women who wish to breastfeed their babies. NMC trains lay counselors in breastfeeding management and counseling skills (current workshops ) and publishes a list of counselors that is distributed to area hospitals and healthcare providers. Anyone who wishes to speak to a counselor, free of charge, can refer to the list or call our office for a referral. NMC also provides advanced training for lactation professionals and for those preparing to take the certifying exam given by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE ). BACE is a non-profit organization that is supported solely by membership dues, contributions, income from professional trainings and revenue from the sale and rental of breastfeeding aids. Most of the work of the organization is done on a volunteer basis. BACE is governed by a board of directors made up of members who represent both the childbirth education and breastfeeding programs. The board meets bimonthly from September to May and has an annual meeting in June.