I want to be an IBCLC...

[Baby_Cakes]

Not sure if this is a good place to put this, so mods, sorry in advance if this needs to be moved.

DD is almost 13 months, and we are still nursing strong. I have a very intense desire to become a lactation consultant and help other mamas discover the wonderful relationship that comes from breastfeeding -- but I have no idea where to begin. Is anyone here an IBCLC? How do I go about finding education classes and the clinical hours to take the exam?

I'm not in healthcare and would have to start from scratch, which is daunting but I think doable with the right support. Anyone?

TIA!

[Heba]

Watching this thread with interest! I believe there are lactation consultants on the forum, and I would be very interested in hearing the paths they took.

I am currently training to become a bfc with the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers in the UK. Once I'm trained, I'll be able to start building hours (Pathway 1). I'm hoping that some of those hours will be volunteering at the local maternity hospital. I am also planning (after I've got a year or so of experience) to take some online courses to fulfil the education requirement.

If you're in the US, one possibility might be to become an LLL leader. That will help you gain a lot of the experience you will need before you can sit the IBLCE.

I think it's definitely doable, and a fab goal. Go for it!

[Bokonon]

I am planning to take this course to become a Lactation Educator-Counselor when DD starts school, and then as I accumulate experience and hours, I will work towards the requirements to sit for the IBCLC.

[haydn'smommy]

I took the course through this place: http://www.healthychildren.cc/
I will be sitting for my IBCLC next summer. Of course, mine was easy cause I'm already a PNP

[earth-mama]

Partner to (7 years) Mother to Lily (9 months) 2 and 1

[Baby_Cakes]

Thanks for the replies! Keep them coming!
Do colleges/universities offer courses?
Maybe I could ask my LLL leader for info...

[Peony]

The classes are easier for most to do, there are many online classes you can take. Often getting the clinical hours are more difficult. Being a LLL leader awards you 500 hours a year so often women who are not in a profession that allows them to get the clinical hours chose that route.


I'm hoping sitting next summer for my exam. I have all my hours and am only short one little class. If all goes right and I can actually find the time to take the class... I did have a head start since I was an RN in my previous life.

[Baby_Cakes]

I think I'll bring this up at the LLL meeting I'm going to this weekend -- well, I'll bring it up after the meeting is over and see if the leader has any advice. I'm not sure about being a LLL leader myself, not sure how to go about that either. I'm really at square one. It's a complete career change. I'd have to figure everything out and really decide if it's a path I can really choose to follow. I would love to have this as a career.

If I weren't a LLL leader, how would a normal person get that many clinical hours? Volunteering? That's a LOT to do in spare time. It seems it would have to be over many years, before even taking classes. How do the hours get documented to count towards the requirements?

[MissHurricat]

I'm very interested in this as well. I am not a nurse, nor do I plan to become one. I just want to be an LC. I really hope this works out well for the both of us!