Lactation Consultant

A Lactation Consultant is a healthcare professional who specializes in supporting breastfeeding and lactation. The gold standard credential is the International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), governed by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE). LCs provide education and counseling to parents about breastfeeding and lactation, assist with challenges such as latching difficulties, milk supply issues, mastitis, and infant feeding plans, and work in hospitals, pediatric practices, public health programs, private practice, and community settings.

There are three eligibility pathways to sit for the IBCLC exam:

• Pathway 1 (Health Professional): For nurses, physicians, midwives, dietitians, and others with recognized health credentials.
• Pathway 2 (Academic): Through completion of an accredited lactation consultant academic program.
• Pathway 3 (Mentorship): Through a structured mentorship under a qualified IBCLC.

Application Process & Beyond

Submit eligibility to IBLCE (with transcripts, lactation hours, clinical experience logs). Sit for the IBCLC exam after graduation (or upon completion of required hours). Maintain certification through continuing education and recertification every 5 years.

Ongoing Professional Development

Join the United States Lactation Consultant Association (USLCA) or International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA).
Attend breastfeeding/lactation conferences. Stay up-to-date on maternal-child health, infant feeding research, and cultural humility practices.

Certification Exam

The IBCLC Exam (offered twice a year worldwide). Covers lactation science, clinical practice, counseling, and ethics.

Undergraduates preparing for this career should plan to complete:

• Health Sciences (14 required disciplines by IBLCE):
  • Biology
  • Human Anatomy & Physiology
  • Infant/Child Growth & Development
  • Nutrition
  • Psychology or Counseling
  • Sociology or Cultural Anthropology
  • Introduction to Research
  • Medical Terminology
  • Communication or Counseling
  • Pathophysiology
  • Microbiology
  • Introduction to Clinical Health Professions
  • Basic Life Support (CPR)
• Lactation-Specific Coursework: At least 95 hours of lactation education (online or in-person; can be obtained via academic programs or professional workshops).

There is no official GPA cutoff for IBCLC exam eligibility, but a 3.0+ GPA in health science coursework is competitive for entry into accredited lactation consultant academic programs. Consistency in science and social science coursework is important for demonstrating readiness.

IBLCE requires 300–1,000 supervised clinical hours (depending on pathway).

• Pathway 1: 1,000 hours over 5 years in a recognized healthcare role.
• Pathway 2: 300 hours through an accredited academic program.
• Pathway 3: 500 hours under mentorship with an IBCLC.

Ways to Gain Experience

• Shadow an IBCLC in hospital or community settings.
• Volunteer with La Leche League, WIC, or community breastfeeding support groups.
• Work in maternal-child health clinics, NICUs, pediatric offices, or public health programs.
• Gain communication/counseling experience (peer mentoring, crisis hotlines).

Required if applying to an academic Pathway 2 program.

Typically 2–3 letters:

• One from a science/health professor.
• One from a clinical supervisor or mentor.
• One from volunteer/advocacy experience related to maternal-child health.