Becoming a lactation consultant...

[JTA Mom]

but don't know how. I really want to become a lactation consultant, especially an IBCLC. (I don't know where to post this, mods. If there is a better place, please move it there, thanks!)

Why?

Because if it weren't for one, I would not have been as successful in my bf as I was. Bf, especially in the beginning, was filled with many challenges. I've shared my knowledge with other mommas when asked, but I feel like I want to do more.

But I've gotten no where in my searches on how to become one. I don't even know where my lc # is. Can anyone here help me? I am also looking into becoming a midwife, but I've been able to find some info there to help me.

Any and all help would be deeply appreciated. How do I become a certified l.c.? Are there any schools? Or is it a factor of just reading lots of materials and hanging out a shingle?

Ami

[elizaMM]

I don't know squat. But I have some suggestions. Google International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. And also consider becoming a la leche league leader, as they do similar work. And a lesson I learned the hard way: sometimes believing in what you do isn't enough, you have to like the act of doing it to (for me, talking to strangers all day is hard.) FWIW... Good luck!!!!

[beccalou79]

Hey there, I'm working toward being an LC, too. Here's a site I like:

http://www.breastfeeding-education.com/faq.html

Good luck!

[JTA Mom]

Originally Posted by elizaMM

Google International Board Certified Lactation Consultant.

Umm, I already did that already, and while it was helpful in giving me the "requirements" there were no links on how to accomplish them. Like, take classes in these 6 fields, but it should all focus on lactation somehow. Oh, and we do not endorse any schools. And on & on & on. Nice generalities, but nothing solid to go on.

As for actually liking it, I mentioned in my previous post that I already do something like that, and I enjoy it. I just want to be able to do more of it.

Becoming a LL leader is good, but I keep hearing here that an IBCLC is the gold standard, so I'd like to get certified so that I can be of help to a much wider range of women. kwim?

Thanks for the link beccalou! How did you find your l.c. to apprentice under? Did you just go to the hospital and ask there or is there another avenue I am not familiar with yet? Thanks!!!

Ami

[beccalou79]

I haven't gotten that far yet, LOL! Right now I'm working on my child development degree, as the pathway to being an LC is much easier with that behind me. I'm also involved in my local LLL, and hope to become more so in the next several months.

Anyway. My suggestion is to try calling your local LCs (either at the hospital or in private practice) and see if any of them will let you "intern" with them for a day. That's a good first step in the direction you want to go!

[go0ber]

thank you for posting this. i, too, am interested in becoming an ibclc in the future and i couldnt find anything on google about the path to doing this. there should be a sticky somewhere...

[MonkeysRUs]

Becoming an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant

Requirements:

Health Disciplines Background Education:

http://americas.iblce.org/healthdisciplines.php

See the above link for info on the required health education. In short, if you are an RN, LPN, Registered Dietitian, midwife or physician, you are considered to already have the required background education. If you do not have the required background education, the above link directs you to recognized courses on the ILCA (International Lactation Consultants Association) website.

Lactation Education

http://americas.iblce.org/lactationeducation.php

See the above link for info on the lactation education required to sit the IBLCE exam. In short, you must have completed a minimum of 45 hours of lactation education (within the scope of the exam blueprint) within the 3 years prior to writing the exam.

Clinical Experience

http://americas.iblce.org/clinicalexperience.php

http://americas.iblce.org/supplementalpathways.php

See the above links for info on what clinical experience is required, and how to go about obtaining it (make sure you scroll right down the page). In short, there are different pathways corresponding to your previous education, which determine how many BC (Breastfeeding Counseling) hours you need to be eligible to write the exam. For example, if you have a Bachelor's degree or higher (in any field) then you need 2500 BC hours. If you have 60 semester hours or more of post-secondary school education, but less than 120 hours, then you need 4000 BC hours.
There are two supplemental pathways (see second link above) that allow you to decrease the number of BC hours you need by completing extra lactation education (CERPs), or being directly supervised by an IBCLC (being directly supervised must be pre-approved by the IBLCE).

Note: LLL Leaders are able to count 500 BC hours per year.

Certification Exam

http://americas.iblce.org/applyfortheexam.php

See the above link for more info about the exam.

[MrsRitchie]

Becoming a LLL Leader would be really beneficial. You have to have a TON of hours in order to be an IBCLC. Take the classes and get all those requirements but for the counseling hours either LLL, working with WIC Breastfeeding Counseling or working as an RN on postpartum are the best ways to get your counseling hours. It takes awhile!

[julie128]

Here's the program that I'm doing: http://www.bsccenter.org/

I'm also in SJ, btw.