Lactation Consultant Courses

Past students say:

I am impressed with the education our staff member is getting through the BSC course. It seems to be MUCH more relevant and thorough than the other programs we sent some of our other staff to.  BK

This is a first rate education and outstanding preparation for work in the field.  JM

I have used every aspect of my training with you in some area. I believe your program is the BEST without any doubt.  MB

195  IBLCE L-CERPS or Contact Hours

Course 511 provides the lactation consultant, nurse, physician, midwife, physician assistant, or other member of the mother's and infant's health care team the core knowledge and skills necessary for helping mothers to breastfeed and the advance skills needed for problem solving. Learning activities include interviews, case studies, development of care plans and resource materials, clinical observations, study questions, and critical research analysis. A Clinical Practicum assesses breastfeeding knowledge and management skills in a clinical setting in your locale. Evaluation includes audio tape-recorded role plays and a written final exam. This course covers all the grids of the IBLCE exam and meets all the didactic requirements for sitting the exam.

Students receive a 88-page program manual in a 3-ring binder which contains policies, procedures, assignments, and instructional material developed by the Center. The course can be completed in 12 to 24 months. Students are expected to submit a course component every 6 weeks.

Students must satisfy the following eligibility requirements:

•Hold an accredited associate degree, or a diploma from a recognized college, university or nursing school (equivalent to approximately 60 credit hours minimum); preferably with courses in the health field.

•Have some experience working with breastfeeding mothers and infants.

•Have access to work with breastfeeding mothers and infants while in the course.

•Have received some professional continuing education in lactation (i.e., reading, attending seminars and conferences).

• Lauwers, Judith and Swisher, Anna , Counseling the Nursing Mother: A Lactation Consultant's Guide, Sudbury, Massachesetts, Jones and Bartlett Publishers, 2005.
• Lawrence, Ruth: Breastfeeding: A Guide for the Medical Profession, St. Louis, C.V. Mosby, 2005.
• Riordan, Jan, Breastfeeding and Human Lactation, Sudbury, Massachesetts, Jones and Bartlett Publishers, 2005.

• Examine the role of the LC in breastfeeding promotion.
• Discuss changes in breastfeeding practices over the years.
• Implement effective counseling techniques in consultations.
• Identify ways in which the LC can effectively practice.

• Examine the role of hormones on lactation.
• Discuss factors that may impact breastmilk production.
• Define anatomical structures related to the breast.
• Determine the role of the lactation consultant in counseling mothers about drugs.
• List the major components of human milk.
• Identify ways in which human milk protects against allergies and diseases.

• Counsel breastfeeding women on dietary matters pertaining to lactation.
• Assist women in making an informed decision about breastfeeding.
• Objectively analyze the specific components of a prenatal breastfeeding class.
• Describe effective methods of contraception for the breastfeeding woman.
• Discuss how the impact of a new baby changes the family structure.

• List elements necessary to include in an infant assessment.
• Assist breastfeeding women in positioning and latch-on.
• Assess and document a breastfeeding evaluation.
• Identify growth and developmental issues in toddlers.
• Discuss methods of lactation management that improve breastfeeding success.

• List common hospital practices that interfere with breastfeeding.
• Describe how to establish and ensure an adequate milk supply.
• Discuss practices that facilitate breastfeeding.
• Identify causes, prevention, and treatment of common postpartum breastfeeding problems.

• Identify causes and treatment for low weight gain and failure to thrive.
• List causes and treatment for common breastfeeding problems.
• Discuss four types of jaundice and indicate the treatment for each.
• Describe a method of determining how much supplement is appropriate for an infant.

• Assist 2 breastfeeding dyads with breastfeeding management and problem solving.
• Apply breastfeeding knowledge in a clinical setting.
• Use appropriate counseling skills in interactions with breastfeeding mothers.

• Determine the appropriate use of breast pumps and other devices.
• Define the parameters for the use of donor human milk for babies.
• Develop an outline for a class for the working, nursing mother.
• Identify elements of a mother-friendly workplace.

• Use emotionally supportive statements
• Use counseling skills to empower the mother
• Use guiding skills to elicit information
• Complete a history/physical
• Give accurate breastfeeding information
• Develop an appropriates plan of care

• Identify specific issues in assisting mothers of preterm infants to breastfeed.
• Discuss how infants with special needs impact breastfeeding.
• List maternal infectious diseases in which breastfeeding is contraindicated.
• Develop counseling techniques to use with mothers who wish to induce lactation.

• Critically evaluate information from research articles.
• Apply appropriate knowledge to clinical practice
• Change clinical practice in accordance with evidence-based research

• Describe the process of becoming a lactation consultant.
• List ways to avoid litigation.
• Verbalize signs and symptoms of burnout.
• Differentiate between policies and procedures and determine which are in compliance with the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding.
• List the advantages and disadvantages of hospital and private lactation consultancy practice.

• Interview a practicing lactation consultant and write a summary.
• Attend a prenatal breastfeeding class and write a one-page evaluation.
• Compare the cost of breastfeeding with the cost of providing infant formula for one full year.
• Observe a lactation consultant for four hours and document the findings.
• Critique or develop the breastfeeding policy in the local hospital.
• Critique an article written for parents about breastfeeding from a popular magazine.
• Attend a mother support group meeting and write a report.
• Visit a local WIC or other public health clinic and write a report.
• Survey two businesses in your community for breastfeeding support and write a report.
• Observe infants in a NICU and report on breastfeeding protocols.
• Interview a mother who has breastfed multiples or who is physically challenged and write a report.

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updated 1-1-07