Pathway Options
Are you interested in becoming a Lactation Consultant but now sure where to start? Here is a breakdown about the process which consists of education, clinical practice and an examination! There are 3 different routes you can take to become an IBCLC so take the time to research the pathway that best fits your lifestyle and knowledge. Everyone is different and only you can make the best choice. However, I am happy to answer questions and offer guidance as needed. Choosing the right pathway sets the tone for your journey to become an IBCLC!
Become an IBCLC
Realistic Salary and Workplaces
If you’ve researched the field of Lactation you know it can be a lucrative profession. Do you need more specifics of salary and workplace options? Let’s break it down.
There are only roughly 36,000 IBCLCs in 131 countries around the world. To put that into prospective, there are 385,000 babies born every DAY in the World. That means job security, consistent work and thousands of Mother’s who need our help. What’s stopping you?
If you still aren’t convinced, let’s talk about pay! IBCLCs who work for an existing business, or hospital and carry only the IBCLC certification can earn between $53,000 - $67,000 annually. There are many factors that play a part in our salaries but without any further RN or license that is our relative base salary.
IBCLCs who own a private practice can earn between $70,000 - $150,000 before subtracting taxes, business expenses, etc. Also, remember with business ownership we’re looking at well over the typical 40 hours per work week.
90 hours Lactation Specific Ed.
One part of your journey is education and it can seem overwhelming but you’ll need to pick a process that works best for your schedule. Although there are a few options out there we recommend Lactation Education Resources as your starting point. Their learning platform is self paced, extremely user-friendly, affordable, up to date and consistent. Check out LER for yourself! If you have questions about LER or another platform I am happy to help!
Health Science Courses
Do you have a few old college credits laying around? Thinking you can’t afford to go back to school? You have options!
Depending on your previous college experiences and/or degrees some of your Health Science requirements may already be fulfilled. Think upper level biology, psychology and anthropology. If you’re starting from scratch we recommend looking into your local community college. Starting local can be easy since the facilities will be close to home with most campuses offering virtual classes now, which can be self paced and flexible. Fulfilling these 14 Health Sciences is a large part of your journey to become an IBCLC and many intern sites will require you to enroll or already be enrolled and underway on your studies.
Mooch Intern Program
We are currently developing an internship program that will accept multiple interns per semester (Spring and Fall). You’ll earn hours by zooming in for all virtual consultations. Mooch offers same-day virtual and text support so our schedule is ever-changing. You can also gain knowledge by developing content with new evidence based information, answering client questions that come via text or chat and offering support groups to your local area with my guidance on zoom. We’ll have virtual meetings together, practice writing care plans and get you ready for exam day.
Professional Code of Conduct
If at any time during mentorship a mentee is found providing care that is misaligned with Mooch Lactation Co.’s code of ethics, immediate termination of mentorship will occur, during which payment for mentorship will be forfeit without refund.