Do you need....

[askater11]

a nursing degree to become a lactation consultant. Or can a person without a nursing degree become a lactation consultant and how?

Thanks a lot, a girlfriend of mine lives in Florida and she's interested in becoming an L.C. I didn't know what to tell her, by the way I'm a cardiac nurse

[monica f]

Here is web site that gives information about lactation consultants. It takes a lot of experience / hours before you can be certified. I'm not sure if this is the only way to become certified.

http://www.iblce.org/

[kennedyj]

I don't think you do because I met someone who was a lactation consultant and was not a nurse. Hope it helps.

Jared

[lactationrn]

There are a few routes your friend can take.

1) become a le leche leauge leader

2)work with breastfeeding dyads (mothers and babies)

3)take a course through a college or continuing education department on breastfeeding

the only way to become a certified lactation consultant is to sit for the exam that is given every year onthe last monday in july. the test costs between $400 and $500 depending on whne you regester for it.

If you have an associates degree in anything, not necessarily nursing you have to get 4000 minumum hours of teaching or assisting dyads to breastfeed.

If you have a bachelors degree you need a minumum of 2500 hours of teaching experience.

there are "alternate pathways " as well that make you elligable to sit for the exam.

Also check out LACTNET. great digest that is for medical professionals that keeps everyone up to date onthe new stuff in lactation.

also as previously posted, check out the IBCLE website for more specific info! good luck:)