IBCLC

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Specializes in ICU.

I am an ICU nurse, but with a passion in childbirth. I am a birth doula, and will be shadowing two CNMs within the next month, to make sure becoming a CNM is what I really want to do. One in a birth center and the other in the office (won't allow to go to any hospital births). But I would love to get my IBCLC along the way. Would I be able to offer breastfeeding help on my website for other moms (not just my doula clients) to apply that to my hours needed? I say that because I do not work in L&D or PP (those nurses usually fulfill those hours within a year).

Thanks in advance!

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[h=6]Pathways | IBLCE

Per the IBCLE website:

A minimum of 1000 hours of lactation specific clinical practice that was obtained within the 5 years immediately prior to applying for the IBLCE examination[/h]

  • [h=6]This lactation specific clinical practice must have been obtained through paid or volunteer work as a [COLOR=#089bc3]Recognised Health Professional[/COLOR] and/or [COLOR=#089bc3]Recognised Mother Support Counsellor[/COLOR].[/h]
    • [h=6]Volunteer recognised mother support counsellors who primarily provide in-person group or individual breastfeeding support receive 500 hours of lactation specific clinical practice for each full year of volunteer service. Only full years of service are credited.[/h]
    • [h=6]Volunteer recognised mother support counsellors who primarily provide telephone, email or web-based breastfeeding support receive 250 hours of lactation specific clinical practice for each full year of volunteer service. Only full years of service are credited.[/h]

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

You cannot earn consultancy hours on your own - you need to be under general supervision by either another IBCLC, or under a nursing manager, or through a volunteer organization like La Leche League or WIC.

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Specializes in ICU.

Ok, let me see if I can contact someone at WIC and LLL in our town. Thank you for the information's!

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
Ok, let me see if I can contact someone at WIC and LLL in our town. Thank you for the information's!

Well, it's not always just a matter of making phone calls and doing it. You would need to become a La Leche League Leader, which takes at least a year for for most people, plus you must meet certain criteria to apply.

Are you currently breastfeeding? If not, did you breastfeed your child(ren) and for how long? Have you ever been to a LLL meeting?

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