Becoming a Certified Breastfeeding Educator

HazeK · Jul 16, 2002

The certification is called "Certified Lactation Consultant"...

try searching around with that title!

Also check out the AWHONN website

Try calling a BIG hospital in a city and check with the nursery staff to see who their CLC is...and maybe she can direct you, too!

Hugs

Haze :cool:

NICU_Nurse, BSN, RN · Jul 16, 2002

Thanks!! I found an organization called CAPPA that offers lactation certification!! Thank you thank you thank you. I have been looking for this for an eternity. I feel like Homer Simpson. Doh! (slapping forehead) Have any of you heard of CAPPA? Is it legitimate, etc.? I had never heard of it... ;>)

Natalieboo · Jul 17, 2002

Yes CAPPA is legit, it's also a certifying organization for doulas, childbirth educators, etc.

Currently there are three organizations that I know of that certify birth and postpartum doulas - DONA, CAPPA and ALACE. CAPPA and ALACE also certify childbirth educators.

They are just different schools of thought for the most part. ALACE doulas do things DONA forbids, whereas CAPPA is more like DONA. Here are the links to their websites:

DONA - http://www.dona.org

CAPPA - http://www.childbirthprofessional.com

ALACE - http://www.alace.org

Lamaze also certifies educators - http://www.lamaze.org

I know this is more info than you wanted but I figure if nurses work in OB, and have to work with patients that hire doulas - it wouldn't hurt if nurses knew what the doulas were all about, and the different organizations that certify them.. plus some of the organizations are always adding new certifying programs.. so another one might come out with another lactation education program.

Anyways, hope that helps!!

NICU_Nurse, BSN, RN · Jul 17, 2002

Tiffany,

Thank you! Those links were added to my favorites list and I will check them out as soon as possible. I fully support the use of a doula (and even considered becoming one before I went to nursing school). Unfortunately, it seems that people in our area do not use them. We're very backwards when it comes to birthing- you'd think that with all of the rural areas that our state would be prime center for midwives and doulas, but it's just not so. I work on an NICU now, but there is the possibility that down the road I will go back to school for NP certification. I'm torn between women's health and nurse-midwife, but you can bet your butt either way I'll be encouraging my patients to use a doula and/or midwife if it's humanly possible! I've read so much about the increased positive outcomes that I'm soldsoldsold! ;>) Thanks for your post.

RNConnieF · Jul 17, 2002

Try the "Blue Pages" in your phone book. The group I'm with is listed in the blue pages. Local groups are usually thrilled to get new blood, and they are often the group that is coming into the hospital to educate new moms.

mark_LD_RN · Jul 19, 2002

another good site for info is: http://www.Bradleybirth.com

i love the bradley method my self!

cargal · Jul 22, 2002

Originally posted by mark_LD_RN
another good site for info is: http://www.Bradleybirth.com

i love the bradley method my self!

Great site Mark. Welcome to allnurses.com

Cheryl Taylor · Mar 21, 2010

There is a Certified Breastfeeding Educator (CBE) certification that can be obtained from Lactation Consultant Services. The program is run by Debi Leslie Bocar, RN, PhD, IBCLC. It is designed for those already involved in working with breastfeeding families...doctors, nurses, dieticians, breastfeeding advocates and lactation consultants.

Hope that helps.

klone, MSN, RN · Mar 22, 2010

If you're going to do it, why not do it all the way? The IBLCE (the certifying body for lactation consultants) recently changed their guidelines, making it much easier and faster to become an IBCLC. If you're already working with moms and babies with breastfeeding, it shouldn't take too much to get the required hours necessary to sit for the exam.

Most IBCLCs are very proprietary about lactation titles. The IBCLC is considered the "gold standard".