I am simply interested in what it takes to become a lactation consultant. Can it be rewarding financially, as well as emotionally? I'm interested for the emotional side, but finances are a reality. I am out of the picture for helping with the local laction support group, as I could only join less than three years after nursing my son. He's almost five now. I am sincerely interested. I just don't know where to start. There's a ton of web info. out there, but nothing that can give me a very good starting point. I would appreciate any info. Thanks. :)
My cousin is a lactation consultant in Tennessee and she works for the county health dept. She works mostly with low income mothers on W.I.C and she loves it. She told me working there also has lots of great benefits since she is considered a government employee. Maybe if you call your county health department they can point you in the right direction. Good Luck!
IBCLC certification is the way to go. It stands for International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. It's initials that you put after your name, just like an RN or MD, etc.
There are many different paths you can take to get cert. - more or less contact hours depending on how much education you already have. Most IBCLCs get their RN first, but not all.
Financially- I recently hired an IBCLC privately to visit my home after the birth of my daughter (now 2.5 months old) and she charged $100/hr. with a standard 2 hour visit. She charges $35 for travel if it is beyond a certain mileage and $15 for an initial phone consult. I'm sure that there is somewhat of an initial investment (beyond paying for your education and for board exams, etc) because she had various supplies with her as well. These included a scale to weigh baby before and after feedings, dental syringes (for when baby needs to be bottle fed but won't take nipple), documents to keep records for herself and for me/insurance company, probably nipple shields, etc.
Joining online groups of others in the birthing industry can help too. I have learned quite a bit by joining a yahoo group of doulas and other IBCLCs, etc. and by hanging out on forums where there are other nursing moms and just observing their issues, etc.
Hope this helps! As you can see, I'm wanting to become an IBCLC myself, and have for 7 yrs now, but am waiting until my children are a bit older before I go back to school or work.
Amanda R.
aspiring IBCLC
L., Amanda Summer and Courtney....
I am Internationally Board Certified... Some of the questions I can not answer.... the process is more difficult than it was when I certified almost 20 years ago... www.iblce.org will give you information on becoming board certified/ www.ilca.org will give you information on our organization.
Locally there are lots of things you can attend... in April the Chicago Area Breastfeeding Coalition is having a conference..http://www.chicagoareabfc.org/events.htm
You are welcome to call and talk with me... 800 LACTATE>
P., RLC, IBCLC, CST
Breastfeeding and Parenting Solutions
www.breastfeedingandparentingsolutions.com
This is the website of the organization that certifies lactation consultants http://americas.iblce.org/home.php
International Board Certified Lactation Consultants are considered the "gold standard" in lactation education. There are other programs that certify "lactation consultants" or "lactation educators" but that is not as rigorous a process nor does it make one a lactation consultant. I am a certified lactation educator because I would like to someday be a lactation consultant. The process is pretty lengthy and involved but definitely rewarding. Many people set up independant practices or work from hospitals. Good luck
