The Lactation Counselor Training Course

The Certified Lactation Counselor®, (CLC) certification is the premier National Certification in Lactation Management for the United States. CLC certification holders have demonstrated competence in the lactation skills, knowledge and attitudes that are essential to helping women in the United States and have agreed to comply withThe Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice code of ethics. The Lactation Counselor Training course is recognized by ANCC as a Nursing Skills Competency Program.

CLC certification means that a person has received training and competency verification in breastfeeding and human lactation support including assessing the latching and feeding process, providing corrective interventions, counseling mothers, understanding and applying knowledge of milk production including in special circumstances and other commonly encountered situations. All of this give CLCs a strong foundation with which to help moms and babies.

CLCs are members of the health care team who can provide knowledge and counseling about optimal and sub-optimal breastfeeding. CLCs understand that breastfeeding decisions are made by the mother, who may have values and goals different from the counselor. A counseling approach is used to gather information and provide appropriate support to the mother and her family. CLCs work as part of the health care team, assuring appropriate referrals and recommendations.

CLCs provide breastfeeding counseling and lactation management in:

Research has shown that the education required of CLCs prior to certification is associated with improved breastfeeding outcomes.

Working in a variety of settings, including hospitals, WIC agencies, health departments, clinics, health care provider offices, and private practice, nationally certified  CLCs are key to the US strategy of  increasing breastfeeding rates in our communities, advocating for positive change in societies attitudes and behavior regarding breastfeeding, teaching breastfeeding classes, and assisting mothers to optimally breastfeed. 

This research and competency based lactation management training provides

This comprehensive, evidence-based, breastfeeding management course includes practical skills, theoretical foundations and competency verification. Technical issues are explored within the context of counseling the mother in the hospital and in public health and community settings. This course prepares participants for professional work helping mothers and babies: this program trains participants how to gain insight into clients' problems, with a strong focus on counseling skills.

The Lactation Counselor Training Course offers continuing education credits for RNs (45 contact hours through ANCC), RDs (45 CPEUs through CDR), IBCLCs (45.0L CERPs through IBLCE). This course is worth 3 college credits for students at Union Institute and University, MCH 330. This course has been approved by AARC.  

The Advanced Issues in Lactation Practice – Advanced Nurse Lactation Consultant (ANLC) Advanced Lactation Consultant (ALC) Certification Program is accredited by the Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice.

Contact Hours: RNs: 45; RDs: 34; CLCs: 45 Contact Hours; IBCLCs: 39L and 6E CERPs; College Credits: 3, MCH 431

This interactive course provides IBCLCs and CLCs with the opportunity to earn advanced certification in lactation management while verifying the insight, knowledge and skills essential to the development and implementation of management strategies for complex problems related to breastfeeding and human lactation. Participants will examine cases, and develop management strategies using knowledge of psychology, sociology, infant development, gender studies, professional interrelations and ethics.

Who should attend?
Nurses, lactation consultants and counselors, midwives, physicians, doulas, childbirth educators, volunteer breastfeeding helpers, speech/language/occupational therapists WIC breastfeeding and nutrition staff.

Pre-requisite:
For Advanced Nurse Lactation Consultant Certification: IBCLC or Healthy Children CLC and current RN license.
For Advanced Lactation Consultant Certification: IBCLC or Healthy Children CLC plus successful completion of the course Maternal Infant Assessment for Breastfeeding and Human Lactation.

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The Healthy Children Project is pleased to announce that on April 5, 2011, the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued a registration certificate for the certification mark Certified Lactation Counselor®.  The Certified Lactation Counselor® mark  communicates to the public that individuals authorized to use the mark have met the Healthy Children standards of excellence and possess knowledge and skills essential to competent practice in lactation management and counseling.

Certified Lactation Counselor® is a registered certification mark owned by the Healthy Children Project, Inc.  CLC is a certification mark owned by Healthy Children, Inc.