How to Become a Breastfeeding Consultant
New mothers can sometimes become overwhelmed by everything that is involved with a newborn baby, including breastfeeding. Without the proper support, some mothers give up on breastfeeding because it is too hard in the beginning. A breastfeeding consultant can work in a hospital or pediatric setting to help mothers who are having trouble breastfeeding. The support you can give to a new mother can mean the difference toward a long, healthy nursing relationship.
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Instructions
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Contact your state's lactation consult organization to determine what steps are needed for your state. While the basic steps are similar, some states require a few additional steps.
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Enroll in a college that offers health classes. To become a breastfeeding consultant, you need to either have a degree in the medical field or take 14 classes in the health field. These classes include biology, anatomy, physiology, nutrition and infant growth and development.
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Complete at least 90 hours worth of human lactation courses to learn about the mechanics of nursing and how to help mothers and babies who are having trouble.
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Work a clinical internship to gain hands-on experience in the field. A breastfeeding consultant requires 500 to 1,000 hours of supervised experience to become certified, depending on your previous experience.
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Apply to take the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners exam by the deadline. There are two deadlines for the exam: March 15 and April 30.
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Pay the fee and take the test at the end of July after you have completed all of the necessary prerequisites.
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Tips & Warnings
If you have previously worked in a related field with breastfeeding mothers, you may qualify for an easier pathway to becoming a breastfeeding consultant.
References
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