Becoming a lactation educator requires experience and training in baby care and pregnancy, and a strong interest in teaching others about breastfeeding. Professional certification is not required, but a CLE certification is available. Lactation educators may work in hospitals, maternity wards, or as breastfeeding advocates in community settings. A lactation consultant has followed a consultant program and gained international certification.
To become a lactation educator hired by a healthcare facility or hospital, a person must have previous experience and training in baby care and pregnancy. A leadership position in the local La Leche League chapter, for example, could be considered a worthwhile means of gaining experience with this topic. Professional certification is not required to become a lactation educator, although a CLE (Certified Lactation Educator) certification is available in some areas. An individual who chooses to become a lactation educator and later desires additional training can participate in a program to become internationally certified as a lactation consultant.
Anyone pursuing a path to becoming a lactation educator should have a strong interest in teaching others about breastfeeding. This can include educating healthcare professionals on how to support mothers of newborns who wish to breastfeed, as well as teaching prospective parents what to expect when breastfeeding a baby. If you become a lactation educator, you can also work with one-on-one support for a new mother who is struggling with breastfeeding. A step on this career path can involve CLE certification, which can include up to 20 hours of face-to-face training, as well as other components such as recorded hours of observing breastfeeding consultations or teaching students in a lactation education class. Many CLE programs are offered on a part-time or distance learning basis for those who need to continue working while studying.
Some professional lactation programs offer entry-level training as a lactation specialist. This entry-level programming is targeted at individuals already working in healthcare. Interested individuals can then continue on to intermediate and advanced certifications as a lactation educator and consultant.
It is important to make a professional distinction between certified lactation educators and consultants. A lactation educator is not specifically certified and is not overseen by an international authority with regard to breastfeeding training or advocacy. On the other hand, a Certified Lactation Consultant has followed a consultant program involving a specified number of health credits and passed an exam to gain international certification as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. The International Board of Consultant Lactation Examiners is a worldwide organization with chapters in the Americas, as well as the Middle East, Europe, Australia, Africa and the Asia-Pacific region.
Lactation educators or consultants may work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, maternity wards or other healthcare settings. Some lactation consultants or educators act as breastfeeding advocates in community settings such as public forums. Occasionally, these professionals may be involved in renting breast pumps and other breastfeeding paraphernalia. Some lactation educators use the different types of part-time work as a complement to providing services as a doula.
Breastfeeding education often involves being a companion and helper to a new mother as she becomes accustomed to the breastfeeding process. This can include support for issues that may occur while breastfeeding a newborn, such as reluctance to feed, breast pain or tenderness, and latching difficulties. A lactation consultant or educator can provide resources and advice in such circumstances.
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