Guide

Sep 6, 2024

Preparing for the IBCLC Exam

You’ve completed your coursework and clinical hours to become an IBCLC – congratulations! The last step to becoming an IBCLC is taking the IBCLC exam. After applying for the exam during the exam application window, you’ll have ~3-4 months before your exam. Read below to learn more about preparing to take your exam! Review the Detailed Content…

Oct 23, 2023

Nutrition During Lactation

What Should I Eat While I’m Breastfeeding? After all the rules of foods to avoid during pregnancy, many women wonder what they can and can’t eat while breastfeeding. The good news is there aren’t any foods you have to avoid while you’re breastfeeding! However, during lactation your energy and nutrient needs are still high, so you…

Feb 6, 2022

How to become a lactation consultant (IBCLC): An overview of all the Pathways

As IBCLCs, we understand the experience of becoming enthralled with lactation and getting fired up to support families – sometimes it takes just a single encounter with the field, and sometimes it’s a passion that develops over years. But either way, if you landed here because you’re excited about becoming a lactation consultant, know that…

Feb 6, 2022

How do I become an IBCLC as a dietitian (RD)?

It’s a question we see often: “I’m a registered dietitian and would like to become an IBCLC. Where do I start?” As IBCLCs, we understand the experience of getting fired up to support families who need lactation support. Sometimes it takes just a single encounter with the field. Sometimes it’s a passion that develops over years.…

Feb 6, 2022

How do I become an IBCLC if I’m already a nurse?

It’s a question we see over and over again: “I’m a registered nurse (RN) and would like to become an IBCLC. Where do I start?” As IBCLCs, we understand the experience of becoming enthralled with lactation and getting fired up to support families. Sometimes it takes just a single encounter with the field. Sometimes it’s a…

Feb 6, 2022

How do I become an IBCLC as a speech language pathologist?

It’s a question we see often: “I’m a speech language pathologist and would like to become an IBCLC. Where do I start?” As IBCLCs, we understand the experience of getting fired up to support families who need lactation support. Sometimes it takes just a single encounter with the field. Sometimes it’s a passion that develops over…

Jan 28, 2022

How do I become an IBCLC as a physical therapist or occupational therapist?

It’s a question we see often: “I’m a physical therapist/occupational therapist and would like to become an IBCLC. Where do I start?” As IBCLCs, we understand the experience of getting fired up to support families who need lactation support. Sometimes it takes just a single encounter with the field. Sometimes it’s a passion that develops over…

Jan 8, 2022

How do I become an IBCLC if I have no health care background?

Interested in becoming an IBCLC, but have no health care background? We hear variations on this question often: “I have a degree in accounting… in theater… in communications… I work as an admin assistant… as a teacher… as a sales rep… I’m a stay-at-home parent… I have no health care background but I would like to…

Dec 7, 2021

Understanding the IBCLC Health Sciences Education requirement

There are four components to becoming an IBCLC, no matter which Pathway you take, as set by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE): We go over the basics of each component in our overview of all the Pathways post (as well as our individual posts on each Pathway), but still get frequent questions the IBCLC…

Aug 28, 2021

9 ways to find an IBCLC mentor for Pathway 3

Why do you need a mentor for Pathway 3? To become an IBCLC via Pathway 3, you first need to figure out how to find an IBCLC mentor. This is because in Pathway 3, clinical experience is obtained through mentorship with a practicing IBCLC. This is different than Pathway 1, in which clinical experience must be supervised in…