Peer Breastfeeding Counselor (x-posted)

[Raynbow]

I've found what I want to be when I grow up. Oh, wait... I am grown up... *darn*

Anyway, I've found my calling. I want to (eventually) be a Lactation Consultant.

To get started, I'm working on becoming a Peer Breastfeeding Counselor. Considering my situation, this is not a simple task - according to the LLL website, you can become one by attending their 3-day course in DC (?) for a mere $350... :nut

Ok, I'm a single momma with two boys (one a nursling), I work FT regular shifts with a VERY limited income and have to schedule time off... so in order to do the above, I'd have to bring at least my nursling with me questionable do-ability), schedule the time off (somewhat difficult but do-able), get to DC (difficult but do-able) and come up with a spare $350 AND costs (*cough* um, undo-able for now).

So, that is out for now... but another opportunity presented itself, sort of. I applied for WIC and in doing so, noticed their "Peer Breastfeeding Counselor" ads and asked about it - I'd be willing to do it entirely volunteer in order to just get the experience and the "time in".
Their ONLY requirements are that you be breastfeeding and on WIC!!
However, they already have one... (only one?!?!?) but she just had a baby... I offered my "services" and they said they'd let me know if she left. (I don't see why they can't have BOTH of us - especially since I can offer advice/BTDT on toddler nursing, which she can't AFAIK).

Now, I'm wondering if I can just offer my services (for free) in a local forum - like put up a notice that I'm available to do Peer Breastfeeding Counseling at my local supermarket or something.
I have no certification - other then a beautiful, healthy, smart, happy, well-adjusted 32 month old son, but I have LIBRARIES of knowledge regarding breastfeeding, breastmilk, pumping, Domperidone, storage, nursing toddlers and on and on and on!
I've already been successfully, unofficially counseling a NURSE on nursing and pumping for her first nursling for 6 months now. (She was actually the one who encouraged me to become a PBC and LC, because she is so thrilled with the help I've been able to give her).

Advice? Ideas?

[MsChatsAlot]

It sounds great. I'm glad you've found something that you feel passionate about.

Once I decided what I wanted to do, I was amazed at how things just started to fall into place to make it possible to happen.

[meemee]

can you for a start join a LLL and be a leader. i was with with LLL from when my dd was 6 months to 2 1/2 years and i could have been a leader if i wasnt working ft and could do the time committment. that at least would be a good start. one of the mom's who kinda started with me did the same thing and then opened her own group in her area.

i know there are LLLs who meet in teh evenings so it shouldnt be that tough for you.

do you think that would be a good start. since you dont have a certification perhaps being a LLL leader would be certification enough for u to have some base when u put up signs at the grocery store or send the word out thru your friends.

btw i think it is an awesome idea. wow! $350 sucks though. look into it with a local chapter of LLL. some may sponsor or pay part of the tuition. i know our group was trying to get something going like that so that the mom's who couldnt pay their membreship could have some help with it.

hmmm now u have inspired me to think about it.

[Raynbow]

I looked into joining LLL, but quite honestly, I can't afford it - and the only groups in my area meet during the day (while I'm at work) and are 25-30 miles away.
I'll look into starting my own chapter (I think I did, but the cost was more then I could do - I'll recheck, however!).

Thanks for the advice!

[Jilian]

I wanted to be a IBCLC when my DS was younger, and I used to attend a breastfeeding support class in a local hospital. I let the LC know that I wanted to become an LC and she gave me all the info on it. I needed 1,250 hours of LC work and then I had to take a HUGE test. She let me shadow her and help out other moms and counted it as hours for me. Too bad I only accumulated about 20 hours before I moved :(

I really enjoyed it, maybe you could do something like this? Call some local LC's and see what they say. There are also different degrees of LC's, an LC, a IBCLC, a breastfeeding educator, etc. Look into everything!

http://ilca.org/ (int'l LC assoc.)
http://kellymom.com/index.html (great BF site)