FAQ's

Questions Most Commonly Asked

1. What is the difference between a breastfeeding counselor and a lactation consultant?
   
   Many women who have breastfed their own children wish to help other mothers by sharing their experiences and offering support.  They are available by telephone to answer questions and may participate in a local breastfeeding support group that meets monthly.  When a breastfeeding counselor encounters a problem that is beyond the basic normal management, she will refer the mother to the primary health care provider or to a lactation consultant.  Breastfeeding counselors generally help mothers for free. More information about functioning in the role of a counselor is available from La Leche League, International.
   
   Lactation consultants work in many settings — hospitals, physician’s offices, home care services, health agencies, and private practice.  They assess the mother and baby, take a history, observe the mother and baby while breastfeeding, problem solve, develop a plan of care, work with and report to the mother’s and baby’s primary care providers, and arrange for follow up.  Breastfeeding counselors and lactation consultants work closely together when a mother is experiencing a breastfeeding problem.  More information about lactation consultants is available from the International Lactation Consultant Association.
   
   
2. Can I complete the course more quickly than you have indicated?
   
   You certainly can!  Often, the use of email provides more rapid communication, making the coursework responses more timely. Questions and feedback done through email are a good way to spend less time waiting for responses and more time learning.  The times stated in the descriptions for the distance courses are guidelines.  If you wish to complete your course at a quicker pace, be sure to let your instructor know so that lessons can be graded as quickly as possible.  Be cautious about proceeding too quickly, however.  You want to allow yourself enough time to assimilate the information and going too quickly may compare to cramming for an exam.  You may remember enough to take the exam, but will not retain the information for the long term.  The goal of the course is long term knowledge and skills, not simply passing an examination.
   
   
3. I have been working with breastfeeding mothers and babies for several years.  How will your course help me?
   
   Once you receive your course materials and begin completing the reading and assignments, you will become aware of how much there is to learn in the field of human lactation.  Because lactation is an ever-changing and dynamic field, new information is continually becoming available.  Our courses present fresh, exciting and current lactation trends which will expand the knowledge level of health professionals. Our new "HOT TOPICS" courses will assist you in staying current in the field of lactation. 
   
   
4. After I graduate, what title can I use?
   
   Since the lactation consultant field is so new, and there are no licensure requirements, confusion sometimes arises concerning various titles being used.  It is recommended that, in order to call yourself a lactation consultant, you take the certification exam offered by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners.  After you pass the exam, you can then call yourself an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).  Taking BSC’s Lactation Consultant course will be excellent preparation for the IBLCE examination.  Graduates from our Breastfeeding Counselor courses call themselves breastfeeding counselors or educators. Graduates from our lactation consultant and lactation management course may refer to themselves as Lactation Consultant Interns until they become certified.
   
   
5. How can I apply my course toward a college degree?
   
   Distance learning is increasingly recognized by colleges and universities throughout the world as a viable alternative to classroom instruction. This increases the likelihood that your distance course with BSC will be accepted by a college or university near you. BSC will be available to assist you in your efforts to have your course approved by college admissions officers. The quality of BSC courses continues to set the standard for distance lactation courses throughout the world. 
    
6. What else will I have to do in order to become certified as a lactation consultant?
   
   In order to qualify to take the IBLCE exam through the traditional pathway, you will need to have a minimum of 2500 hours of hands-on, professional breastfeeding counseling hours.  The exact number of practice hours required is dependent upon your current level of education.  Some of these practice hours can be obtained through a formal mentor program or traineeship in a hospital-based lactation clinic.  Experience can also be obtained through working with mothers and babies in a hospital setting, home health care, public health or WIC clinic, physician office or clinic, La Leche League or other mother-to-mother support group, or with a practicing lactation consultant.  With successful completion of Course 511 in the Center for Lactation Education, the IBLCE will grant you a credit of 500 practice hours. 
   
    Contact the IBLCE for further information at (phone) 703-560-7330 or (fax) 703-560-7332.
   
   

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update 5-18-05