Becoming a Lactation Consultant

[nkochrn, RN]

Does any one know where I could find information on becoming a lactation consultant? I am a certified breastfeeding educator, which was a 25 hour class. If I remember right you need 80 credit hours to be a LC. Is there programs specifically for this or any sort of certification?

[1uvakindmom]

Try this website http://www.iblce.org/, they have info on classes and what you need to do to become an LC. I am just a PN now (taking NXLEX PN the 29th), but I aspire to be a midwife. I am going to take a class this December. I know I probably cannot be one yet, but I hunger for knowledge =D

[1lchelp]

Check out www.breastfeedingconferences.com. It's a site that lists conferences offering CERPS for certification.

[lactnet]

This is the organization you would need to become a CLC first then move on to IBCLC once you have the hours.

http://www.healthychildren.cc/

[nkochrn, RN]

Thanks for the links! I'm still a little confused about what exactly it takes to be a LC. Am I understanding right? A CLC is a certified lactation consultant, which is different from an IBCLC, which is an international board certified lactation consultant?

I work in a rural hospital and don't plan to use this education any where else unless I would happen to find specifially a lactation consultant job elsewhere. I'm thinking I would probably just want to be a CLC.

[Marymoomoo]

Thanks for the links! I'm still a little confused about what exactly it takes to be a LC. Am I understanding right? A CLC is a certified lactation consultant, which is different from an IBCLC, which is an international board certified lactation consultant?

Correct.

CLC/CLS requirements vary by course. There is no standardization of the certification. :)

IBCLC requirements can be found here: http://www.iblce.org/eligibilityRequirements.php?region=am

I work in a rural hospital and don't plan to use this education any where else unless I would happen to find specifially a lactation consultant job elsewhere. I'm thinking I would probably just want to be a CLC.

Before sitting the IBCLC exam, candidates are required to show proof of supervised hours of clinical experience, as well as at least 45 hours of breastfeeding education (following the exam blueprint). After certification, IBCLCs practice to specific professional standards, including ethics and clinical competencies.

There is a definite difference in pay rates between CLC/CLS and IBCLC, as well. :)

Here are a few CLC courses:

http://www.breastfeeding-education.com/

http://www.lactationeducationconsultants.com/

http://www.bsccenter.org/index.html