How to Become a Lactation Counselor

Lactation consultants work with breastfeeding mothers and their babies.

An international board certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) is a breastfeeding professional that teaches and assists breastfeeding mothers and families. Although there are also certified lactation educators and certified lactation consultants, IBCLCs are the most adept at assisting a breastfeeding family thanks to their lengthy training and certification process. These lactation consultants can be self-employed or work for hospitals or health agencies. To become a professional, individuals entering this field can spend anywhere from two to five years obtaining the necessary education in theoretical and practical lactation consultation in order to best serve a breastfeeding mother and her family.

Instructions

1. Speak to your employer. If you currently work with pregnant mothers or babies, your transition into a career helping lactating mothers will be much easier.

2. Speak to other IBCLCs in your area to decide if this field is a good fit for you. As a lactation consultant, you'll need to be comfortable working with breastfeeding mothers and their babies. You'll need to be highly informed about the lactation process as well as possess lots of patience in order to succeed as a consultant.

3. Call the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) in order to get more information about the career. They are the certifying body for the profession.

4. Select a pathway to certification. The difference between pathways is usually the amount of hours required working with breastfeeding mothers. The number of hours can range from 900, for those who are already doctors, to 6,000. You must meet this number in order to sit for the certification exam.

5. Allow yourself plenty of time to become an IBCLC. The less experience you have in the field, the more hours will be required to become a lactation consultant.

6. Study for the certification exam. The IBCLC exam can be very difficult, even for those who are already in the medical field, such as registered nurses or doctors.

Tips & Warnings

• Experience breastfeeding your children or helping friends and family breastfeed does not qualify you for the certification exam.

• International board certified lactation consultants must get re-certified every 10 years.

• The IBCLE is a worldwide organization whose mission is to improve the quality and increase the number of lactation and breastfeeding care practitioners.

• There are 10,249 IBCLCs in the United States. California has the most, with 1,259.

References

• Breastfeeding.com: How To Become A Lactation Consultant
• IBCLE.org: International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners