how to be a lactation consultant?

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Hi all! I am graduating this spring and already have a job lined up as a post-partum nurse. I would like to further my education somewhat and become a certified lactation consultant but I don't know exactly how to do it. I looked on the official website (?IFLC? not sure) and it seemed to say that thousands of hours working are required. I was hoping for a class to take!

Does anyone know any resources? I will have my ADN and I'm in NY state if that matters.

Thanks!

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I think being a PP nurse is an excellent (if not the best) pathway to becoming an IBCLC. You do need education (I believe it's 45 hours) and it probably will take years depending on whether you have a 2 year or 4 year degree. I do believe you can become a LLL leader and count that toward your hours as well. It is quite an investment (I, too, wasn't aware that it was so involved). Best wishes!

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

You will need lots of documented hours of lactation experience. Being an LLL counselor is helpful. So will being a Post partum nurse. I do know, to be an LC that is IBCLC-certified, the hours of practice are more for ADN than BSN-nurses. They give a bit more credit for education for BSN's. But don't be discouraged. Every interaction with breastfeeding moms and teaching them, is experience. Also, if you have any experience as a doula, this may count too!!!

http://www.iblce.org/contact.htm

http://www.lalecheleague.org/FAQ/LC.html (lists pathways to LC cert.)

good places to get some information.

Good luck.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
hi all! i am graduating this spring and already have a job lined up as a post-partum nurse. i would like to further my education somewhat and become a certified lactation consultant but i don't know exactly how to do it. i looked on the official website (?iflc? not sure) and it seemed to say that thousands of hours working are required. i was hoping for a class to take!

does anyone know any resources? i will have my adn and i'm in ny state if that matters.

thanks!

hello, coopergrrl,:balloons:

have you looked at the lalecheleague site? it goes into detail the different avenues to seek this certification. faq's are helpful.

http://www.lalecheleague.org/faq/lc.html

check out theses sites, too:

http://www.calwic.org/images/brstfd_prof_lactation_edu.pdf#search='lactation%20consultant%20certification'[/url]

http://members.aol.com/davisrnclc/myhomepage/beanlc.htm

http://www.iblce.org/become.htm

i hope these help.

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oh thanks to all of you! I will be hitting these links!

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You might also look into lacation through Healthy Children at http://www.healthychildren.cc ... best of luck to you! :)

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You might also look into lacation through Healthy Children at http://www.healthychildren.cc ... best of luck to you! :)

wow! that site is great~ Thank you~

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Specializes in OB, lactation.

In addition to the web sites already listed-

Health-e-learning also has a lot to offer if you are looking to learn. I have taken a bunch of their courses and was very happy with them.

The IBLCE web site is of course the last word in requirements.

You may also enjoy the IBCLC2b yahoo group and the Lactnet listserv.

Good luck to you :)

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Thanks!!!!

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