| Becoming a Lactation Consultant:
Where do I begin? |
You may need to spend the next several years preparing for the
lactation consultant profession depending on your education
and experience. It is rewarding field, and the time spent in
preparation is well worth it!
Preparation includes a variety of related college courses, a
lactation management course, hands-on clinical experience, and
professional certification. As you progress along the way,
keep in mind that you are preparing yourself to practice
competently, not simply to qualify for a certification exam.
Step 1: College Prerequisites
As a first step, you will want to visit the International
Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners' (IBLCE's) website to
learn about
requirements for certification. To qualify to take the
certification exam you will need to have taken courses in
anatomy and physiology, sociology, psychology or counseling,
child development, and nutrition. You may have taken courses
in college that will satisfy some of these requirements. If
there are some you need to take, you can begin that while you
are putting the rest of your requirements in place.
Step 2: Lactation Management Course
You will need to complete a comprehensive course in lactation
management. The course must have been taken within three years
of sitting for the certification exam, so you will want to
plan this carefully. ILCA's
Directory of
Lactation Course Providers lists several course providers
you can contact for information about their courses and their
fees. Courses that are accredited by ILEAC, ILCA's
accreditation council, appear at the top of the list. The
Guide to Selecting a
Lactation Course contains questions to ask course
providers to help select a course to meet your needs.
Step 3: Clinical Experience
Hands on clinical experience with breastfeeding mothers and
babies is perhaps the most important element in your
preparation. The majority of your practical experience should
occur after you complete a lactation management course. This
will ensure that what you practice is evidence-based and
current. ILCA and IBLCE collaborated on a list of
Clinical Competencies for IBCLC Practice that will help
you identify the clinical experiences you need. ILCA's
Standards of Practice
and Clinical
Guidelines for the Establishment of Exclusive Breastfeeding
will guide you in your work with mothers and babies.
Step 4: Certification
Certification as an International Board Certified Lactation
Consultant (IBCLC) is essential for practicing as a lactation
professional. ILCA's Certification
Resources will help you prepare for the IBLCE exam. The
number of clinical hours you need to qualify for the
certification exam will depend on your background. You can
review information on the
IBLCE website and call them if you have questions.
Specifically, these links may be helpful to you:
How to become an
IBCLC
Pathways to
becoming an IBCLC
Exam
application materials
Step 5: Continuing Education
Your learning does not end after you become certified.
Attending conferences is another important means of preparing
for the profession and staying current with research and
clinical practice. It is also a valuable opportunity to
network with lactation professionals from across the world.
Visit the Conferences Page to
learn about ILCA's annual conference. ILCA also provides a
wide range of
Independent Study Modules to help you select areas of
study. Attending the ILCA conference and completing ILCA study
modules will help you obtain the 75 hours of continuing
education required every five years in order to maintain your
certification as an IBCLC.
Contacts:
International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE)
E-mail iblce@iblce.org
Website www.iblce.org
Phone 703-560-7330
International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA)
Email info@ilca.org
(Association Office)
Email
judilauwers@ilca.org (Education Coordinator)
Phone 919-861-5577
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
Need assistance? An IBCLC can help. |
|
 |
 |
Premier educational event for lactation consultants. |
|
 |
|
ILCA publications and lactation resources. |
|
 |
|
ILCA is YOU! Read about ILCA’s worldwide activities. |
|
 |
 |
25+ opportunities to earn CERPs / contact hours. |
|
 |
 |
Locate an IBCLC for your conference, training, or seminar. |
|
 |
|
