[dnjholland]

Hi,
I am currently taking CERPs to become IBCLC and need about 2500 clinical hrs. I am in the process of gaining 150 CERPs so I can receive 500 hrs and I would like to work with an IBCLC to gain another 500hrs via Pathway F. Does anyone know how I can go about finding a IBCLC to mentor me? I have emailed 2 in my area, but am wondering if there is an easier way then searching and asking? I read on a website (forget which one) that a lot of IBCLC's don't necessarily like to mentor LC students because it takes them longer when working with mothers and having a student shadow. Any advice/suggestions would be great. Thanks!

[sheluke]

I have been out of that particular path of practice for few years-however as a former IBCLC of several years, my recommendation is to get involved in working with moms wherever you get the chance. There are LC's in hospitals, in Pediatric offices, and of course, many also work with LLL. As with many opportunities-start networking! Do you have a local BF task force?
Or a good Women's Health program that has new parent classes? They may be thrilled to have some assistance-you will prob have to 'volunteer' your time at first, but would be well worth the efforts. Find a LLL group locally and see if they need some help as well, their are many that are both LLL supporting and IBCLC- Since LLL leaders and counselors are more in the community, it may be easier to get to know someone whom you can tag with and learn and help at the same time.

Get on an LC list serve too-let them know your willingness to learn and your desire to gain the experience towards certification.

There may be some that would rather not have a shadow, but prob many more who are willing and happy to have you on board! Don't give up, it does take time and is quite a bit of work, as in anything that is worth it

[dnjholland]

Thank you! I have spoke with the woman at WIC in the volunteer department for a volunteer position as a breastfeeding counselor. That will give me some hrs. I have also spoken with a previous professor who is an OB nurse and she gave me 2 numbers to the LC's that work at the local hospital. I really hope they are willing to let me on board to gain knowledge, experience and hrs!

[kythe]

I'm not in a position to give advice, but thanks for posting this. I'm considering becoming a Lactation Consultant after getting my RN. It takes 2500 hours after you have a BSN, so I've got a while to think about it.

Our local public health department hires nurses as breastfeeding counselors. I am hoping (when the times comes) to go through the course for the CERP's, then use those credentials to get a job in community health where I can work with breastfeeding moms. Then I could use some of my actual work experience as clinical hours toward IBCLC. I read on their site that active La Leche League Leaders can earn 500 hours per year of service. You can use a group setting like that for half of your needed hours.

It seems to me that a couple of years of LLLL and of working as a community health breastfeeding counselor and I would have enough experience to become a Lactation Consultant and move to a hospital setting. Is this a feasable or typical route?

[dnjholland]

Kythe, I can tell you how I'm planning on getting my hrs, not sure if its the same and i'm just wording different or if you know about this but....By the time I have my BSN I will be close to 2500 (I'm pretty sure), so I'm basing my stuff off the 2500hrs. You can do pathways G & F. If you work under the supervision of a recertifed IBCLE for I believe 100 hrs IBCLC gives you 500hrs toward your 2500. Then if you take 150 CERPs they give you another 500hrs, leaving you with only 1500 to complete through volunteer or from what you said a nurse at the health department as a breastfeeding counselor.

I printed out the volunteer app for my local WIC (there are no paid positions available right now, but am going to give them a resume for when one opens) to start my hrs. I have completed 25 CERPs and in March will be taking a Lactation Management course (highly recommended from IBCLC and ILCA) that is worth 45 CERPs, so I will have the 150 hopefully completed by the end of this year and 500 hrs towards what I need. I'm looking for a recertified IBCLC to mentor me to work under them for a minimum of the 100hrs (not 100% sure its 100, it maybe more, but I think they give you 5hrs for every 1 hr you work supervised with IBCLE) if not more to gain knowledge and experience. This year is going to be filled with LOTS of volunteering LOL! I hope that helped you.