Lactation/ Breastfeeding educator/consultant?

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

Hey everyone...

I haven't seen really anything devoted to this subject. For a long time I have wanted to do something like breastfeeding consulting. I just started nursing school in the fall and its a LPN program. I *think I remember reading that I would need an RN for something like this?

I remember when I had my second child, some very young woman came into my hospital room trying to awkwardly trying to help me but it pretty apparent that she had never nursed a kid herself....and being an advocate of it, I have always thought this was something I would like to pursue.

Anyone have anything that could lead me in that direction. I really have no desire to go through a lalechee *spelling fumbled type education.

Thanks :)

Specializes in OB, lactation.

BetsRN, Bruucebuff said in her original post " I really have no desire to go through a lalechee *spelling fumbled type education." (It's La Leche League)... although Bruucebuff, I'm kind of curious why you say that? I think it's great that you have found a good path for yourself that you are happy with but it just made me wonder. :confused:

They are one of, if not the, biggest authority on breastfeeding and for many people it's a viable way to accumulate consultancy hours toward IBCLC (Leaders typically get 500 hours per year from the IBLCE). If you aren't an RN or WIC breastfeeding educator working with babies all the time, it's really hard to get that kind of hours. Just something to consider since IBCLC is really the "gold standard".

Since LLL breastfeeding education is evidence-based, it's the same education that you are going to attain from any reputable breastfeeding education place... as a matter of fact the IBCLE was founded by La Leche League! Many of the brightest IBCLC's, lactation researchers, and authors out there started out, or still are, LLL Leaders. LLLI also has a working relationship with professional organizations such as the AAP, ACOG, WHO, etc.

I'm not pushing anything- I only ask because occasionally I encounter people who have heard misinformation about La Leche or who have gotten the wrong impression somehow. I like to welcome the opportunity to clarify doubts or questions that people may have about it. Regardless of affiliation, I think all of us working with new moms and babies should operate out of mutual respect and collaboration in order to have the best outcomes for the dyads. :) There are lots of ways to work toward that (positive outcomes).

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Helping is one thing but in this day and age of law suits, you can never be too careful. Most LC's carry malpractice insurance.

Im thinking terms of working with.....and of course. I would think as a nurse I would have as well.

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BetsRN, she said in her original post " I really have no desire to go through a lalechee *spelling fumbled type education." (It's La Leche League)... although Bruucebuff, I'm kind of curious why you say that?

They are one of, if not the, biggest authority on breastfeeding and for many people it's a viable way to accumulate consultancy hours toward IBCLC (Leaders typically get 500 hours per year from the IBLCE). If you aren't an RN or WIC breastfeeding educator working with babies all the time, it's hard to get that kind of hours.

I only ask because occasionally I encounter people who have heard misinformation about La Leche.

Hm....why not La leche? Firstly, its appears that its a major process going through the whole certification just to be a leader. I was never a member. Somehow I thought you had to be. I could be wrong, though. Im not sure...I think a big part of my feelings towards not wanting to work through the LaLeche is that I am not currently nursing one of my own kids. Its something to investigate, perhaps.

Yes, the whole hours thing has me wondering where I would get that much time consulting....without a certification. I knew of the WIC peer counseling.

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Specializes in OB, lactation.

LOL... I think I continued editing that post above while you were responding ;)

Hm....why not La leche? Firstly, its appears that its a major process going through the whole certification just to be a leader. I was never a member.

You do have to be a member to get accredited, but you can become one anytime. I know people who weren't members until they started accreditation. It is a process, but it helps you to be well prepared, and you are allowed to pace yourself, there aren't rigid deadlines or anything.

.I think a big part of my feelings towards not wanting to work through the LaLeche is that I am not currently nursing one of my own kids.

I see where you are coming from, but really there are a lot of Leaders that continue on years and years after their own kids... I even know of a few whose daughters grew up and became Leaders too... while mom (grandma at that point) is still an active Leader! :pinkheart

Yes, the whole hours thing has me wondering where I would get that much time consulting....without a certification. I knew of the WIC peer counseling.

WIC peer counselors are usually trained via LLL if I'm not mistaken (at least I know they have a peer counseling training program and do at least some WIC ones, if not all), and that is another option. I'm not sure how many hours they are awarded, they may have to keep a log, but the IBCLE is pretty strict about it... hours have to be direct one on one consultancy hours done independently (not assisting another counselor/LC). That would be a good question though.

Hope that helps some, it can be convoluted, huh?

PS...

LLLI Peer Counselor Program

http://laleche.org/ed/PeerCounsel.html

How Can LLL Help Me Become a Lactation Consultant?

http://laleche.org/FAQ/LC.html

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Specializes in OB, lactation.

I forgot, here's also some good info on chosing lactation education courses:

Guide to Selecting a Lactation Management Course

http://www.ilca.org/education/courseguide.php

and a good listing of places that meet ILCA/IBCLE type standards:

http://www.ilca.org/education/courselistings.php

I am using one of the places on the list right now for LCERPS (continuing education credits) that I need to sit the board exam in July and I'm happy with them: Health-e-Learning

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Thanks Mitchs Mom! I definitely want to consider this in the future :) Lots of great information!!

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You do not have to be an RN or have a 4 year degree to become an IBCLC.

Unless something drastic has happened in the last year or so.

Thats correct, just look at the IBCLC web site and it lists the qualifications for a layperson, AD, BSN ect.

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Thats correct, just look at the IBCLC web site and it lists the qualifications for a layperson, AD, BSN ect.

Make sure you look at the list of qualifications BEFORE you start to make sure you can meet the requirements. The number of actual hands on hours of documented lactation experience is what will stop most candidates because unless you have a lactation/medical/nursing background, it takes a lot of time BEFORE you can even qualify to sit for the exam. Even with these backgrounds, it takes a lot of time to accumulate (for instance) 2500-4000 hours of practice. You also ahve to have a documented number of continuing education credits (CEU's) to meet the requirement.

A great place to start, as someone already mentioned is to become a WIC peer counselor and then to take one of the 40 hour courses and become a "lactation counselor." A lactation counselor is NOT a lactation consultant. From there, as you gain experience and collect the hours necessary to qualify for the boards, you will be providing a valuable service while you wait.

I am very glad that I went ahead and took the exam. It took me years of teaching to accumulate the hours necessary for me to qualify initially. It is not a program to be undertaken without advanced planning so you ahve everything you need behind you.

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There are many different types of lactation training, the most extensive one being the IBCLC exam. However, in order to qualify for that, you have to have years of working in the fireld before you are even qualified to sit for the exam. I had to document at least 2500 of actual teaching along with my other requirements in order to take it (which I did this past summer). After one takes and passes the exam, one is a board certified lactation consultant. One may not use the term consultant otherwise.

I would suggest the shorter courses as a good introduction to see if you are really interested in pursuing the full certification. There are 3 day courses and then the next step up is a week long 40 hour course which then qualifies you to be a CLC which is a certified lactation counselor or a CLE which is a certified lactation educator.

The more experience you have the better. The qualifications/pathways to the IBCLC are varied but require an RN and/or a 4 year degree, and as I said, varied amounts of actual hands-on experience. Then (as with the shorter courses) there is a requirement for a certain number of CEU's every 5 years or so to renew. It's ongoing and important that it is because trends and information changes and is updated on a regular basis.

I worked as a CLC for about 10 years before I took the IBCLC exam. It isn't easy but I am glad I did it.

Check out iblce.org.

Where did you receive training for CLC? And where did you work? :)

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