Lactation Consultant with no L&D experience?

[Ladybird_RN, BSN, RN]

I am needing some input from people on the ground. I have been an RN for about 5 years with 2 years of experience. 1 year was at an LTACH (vents, trachs, very medically complex patients, great learning experience) until my son was born prematurely and really needed me at home with him for about 3 years. I then worked for a year at a women's clinic doing ultrasounds, pregnancy tests, and prenatal education until a few months ago when we moved out of state. I am now looking for my next position. 

I would love to work in labor and delivery with the goal of moving into an IBCLC lactation consultant . However, since I have not worked into acute care for a few years (and yes, I feel very rusty in my acute skill set), and have not yet worked in labor and delivery, I really need to sell myself to get my foot in the door. I have assisted with around 40 births over the years, I know I love it so that isn't the issue - just no acute L and D training.

I had a thought: while I want to cross train into labor and delivery, my favorite part is the lactation consulting anyway.... What if I just spent the time and money now to get my IBCLC? 

Do you guys think a hospital would be interested in a new IBCLC if she has no labor and delivery/pp/recent acute experience? Would I really cut myself short by going for LC first rather than L&D first? 

I live in a major metro area with good job postings for IBCLCs, most wanting acute maternal child experience. 

[Michellelizz]

I think you should go for postpartum/mother-baby over L&D. We don’t do much breastfeeding in L&D besides for a bit right after birth. When I worked postpartum, most of my time was educating about breastfeeding, pumping, formula etc.  And you can probably work with a LC on postpartum to get some insight. 

[klone, MSN, RN]

You absolutely do not need L&D experience to get a job as an IBCLC. It may be more challenging to get your consultancy hours in if you're not working in mom/baby, though. What are your plans for that?

[Ladybird_RN, BSN, RN]

Thanks for the input, guys! I actually am excited to hear what you both are saying, because I also was thinking L&D might distract from the lactation consulting that I want to do most (I do love both though). 

Klone, as far as my plans for consultancy hours, I have been contacting hospitals with lactation dpeartments to see if I could find an IBCLC to mentor under there. If hospitals don't work, I will move to contacting WIC departments, then pediatricians with Lactation Consultants until I find one that can do it. I expect it will take me a little longer with Covid, but I also think I will find one if I keep at it. The schools that certify in IBCLC may have pre-arranged mentors I could look into for a fee as well. 

[LibraSunCNM, BSN, MSN, CNM]

I've met a couple IBCLCs who weren't even RNs!  One was a registered dietician and did her consultancy hours with a WIC clinic.  She was probably the best LC I've ever worked with.  I agree that mother/baby is a better area to focus on and may be a little easier to get a job in.

[Ladybird_RN, BSN, RN]

Yes, I have seen many non-RN IBCLCs at this point as well and have even contacted some to see if they could do the mentorship with me for my hours. I do think they work with WIC or in private practice most times. 

Thank you for your suggestion, I am focusing on mother/baby positions as I think I like that area most. 

[futuremidwife, CNA]

Hi there! Not sure if you have made any decisions in this regard as of yet but thought I would offer my two cents. I am an IBCLC student gaining clinical hours in a mother/baby unit. Since you are already an RN, I would think the easier path for you to take is Pathway 1 if you're not in a rush to become an IBCLC. As others have stated, working in mother/baby is better suited for lactation hours. You can look at being a nursery nurse or working in the NICU as well. It would be a smoother process to get paid as a nurse and count those hours over a few years to your IBCLC credential. If you are in a rush to become an IBCLC, you can work as a nurse in any field and gain those hours volunteering at WIC or mother/baby unit. You will likely gain hours faster this way as a Pathway 3 candidate. Feel free to ask me further questions if you have any. Wishing you the best!

[Allison T]

Just mentioning that it is absolutely not necessary to be a nurse to become an IBCLC. IBCLCs also come from PT, SLP, OT, MD/DO, social work, and many other backgrounds.