Obtaining IBCLC

Hi there.

The best place to ask this question would be in the OB/Gyn forum.

I was a La Leche League Leader for 8 years before becoming an RN, and that was the most helpful thing in becoming an IBCLC. When I sat for the exam in 2007, they required 4000 consultancy hours (which took me 8 years to accrue as a LLL Leader). They have since changed the requirements, and now only 1000 hours are required.

Have you been to the IBLCE website to read over the various pathways to certification?

And as far as what helped me PRACTICALLY with lactation consulting, and what I recommend to any fledgling lactation counselor:

Buy a copy of La Leche League's "Breastfeeding Answer Book" and find a high-volume breastfeeding support message board, and dive in and answer questions. IME, 80% of breastfeeding questions consist of the same 5-10 questions (supply, mastitis, latch, going back to work, weaning), and the act of forcing yourself to look up answers in order to answer other people's questions causes you to become very knowledgeable on basic breastfeeding management.

I have and I see that they do require 1000 hours plus some education hours. I can obtain these at work but i am not getting to deal with the challenges of BF. One of my friends is a LLL leader for thr last 3 years and BF x 3 children x 1-2 years. I was thinking about going to those meetings and learn from her but wasn't sure.

Do you have children/have you breastfed? If not, then you could not become a Leader and earn consultancy hours that way. Are you a nurse and what is your area of nursing? Are there opportunities within your job to offer breastfeeding support?

I do not have children right now but plan to in the next few years. I really do want to breastfeed my children and I would like to have already had some personal experience with it before becoming IBCLC. I am a nurse and work in public health so we do a lot of breastfeeding education.

I do not feel like the prenatal/ PP counseling we do is enough to prepare me since we refer to LC (at hospital) for issues. We used to have a LC in our clinic and no longer do. I have told my superiors that I am interested in becoming IBCLC in future and they are looking into any trainings offered. I have been to a breastfeeding conference and in-services and learned so much. Currently reading "The Art of Breastfeeding." I know we are really trying to raise BF rates in the community. However, this is just something that I feel passionate about and compelled to be there for mom's who want to breastfeed.

A good curriculum is Lactation Education Resources. That would be good way to start. Volunteering in a WIC clinic and becoming a peer counselor is one way to get your hours. Many nurses get their hours by working in a mother/baby unit in the hospital setting. Good luck to you.