How does one become a Lactation Consultant?

[katy1844]

Hello everyone,

I have a M.Ed. in counseling and I am thinking about becoming a La Leche League leader, and at the last LLL meeting there were all these horror stories about lactation consultants and I thought wouldn't it be great to be both.... but I have no idea how one becomes a lactation consultant.... Thanks for all the help!

Kt

[mamaverdi]

Google up the organization for certifying IBCLCs. All the basic info is there on their site.

[MomToSusannah]

So you don't need to be an RN to be a IBCLC? I see that a background in social sciences such as sociology and psychology meet the criteria. Hmm. Maybe something to consider once I (finally) finish my BA in Psychology and am waiting to go to grad school?

[alllyssa]

You do not need to be an RN to become an LC, but it is difficult to accumulate the required breastfeeding helping hours if you are not in the medical field. I'm sure it's possible, but just more difficult (that's why most LC's are nurses). I think that you need 2000 hours - which is almost a year working full time.

La Leche League helped found the testing process for becoming an IBCLC and offers group leaders 500 hours per year toward their helping hours.

Good luck,

[lissabob]

Originally Posted by katy1844

Hello everyone,

I have a M.Ed. in counseling and I am thinking about becoming a La Leche League leader, and at the last LLL meeting there were all these horror stories about lactation consultants and I thought wouldn't it be great to be both.... but I have no idea how one becomes a lactation consultant.... Thanks for all the help!

Kt

There's many paths:
How to become a LC

It actually takes MORE hours if you are "just" a diploma RN than if you have a 4 yr degree (and classes that cover their criteria). BUT RN's have more opportunities to get required BC hours. MD's actually have the lowest hours required- you'd think more would take advantage of that.

[laurdsed]

Around here at least, it is also hard to find a well-paying job for an LC who is not an RN. Most LCs here work in a hospital or medical-based clinic. Of course, one can always be self-employed and form their own practice, but IMO, this is difficult, too.

Laurel

[alllyssa]

I forgot to mention that 2 of the LLL leaders in my group are LC's. Neither one of them are nurses. One has worked at 2 different hospitals (helping moms postpartum and working at the outpatient breastfeeding clinic run by the hospital) and the other is in private practice (doing home and office visits, renting & selling pumps, etc).

There are opportunities for non-RN LC's to work in the hospital, but there is more competition for those postitions and then you have to do what they tell you to do and say what they tell you to say - which isn't always the easiest thing to do or the most helpful.

[laurdsed]

Hmmm, that's nice that the hospitals in your area sound like they weigh experience over degree there. The hospitals in our area ONLY hire LCs with an RN degree, same with the clinics. It's very hard to earn a living as a LC, non-RN here, though some do. Two LLL Leaders practice as LCs in private practice here. One mostly earns income through pump rental. The other is a homeschooling mom who doesn't depend on her income.