Are you an aspiring IBCLC? Here’s some info to get you started.
Files to Review
- Information about becoming an IBCLC developed by Danielle Tropea, MPH, IBCLC
- Recorded webinar by Danielle Tropea, MPH, IBCLC, about how to become an IBCLC through WIC (but it may be helpful to others)
- Great article from NCSU about finding a job as a non-RN IBCLC
- Files from IBLCE, the organization that certifies IBCLCs:
- Detailed Content Outline
- How to Become an IBCLC
- Prepare for IBCLC Certification
- Pathway 1: Recognised Health Professionals and Recognised Breastfeeding Support Counsellors: Complete a minimum of 1000 hours of lactation specific clinical practice are required in an appropriate supervised setting within the five years immediately prior to examination application.
- Pathway 2: Accredited Lactation Academic Programmes: Complete a comprehensive, accredited academic programme in human lactation and breastfeeding, along with 300 hours of directly supervised lactation specific clinical practice.
- Pathway 3: Mentorship with an IBCLC: Complete a structured, defined mentorship between an applicant and IBCLC(s), according to the specifications found in the Pathway 3 Plan Guide, which must be preapproved, including 500 hours of directly supervised lactation specific clinical practice.
- Compiled files from other sources
- Studying resource suggestions
Facebook Groups For Aspiring IBCLCs
- NJBC Aspiring & Current Lactation Professionals – https://www.facebook.com/groups/njbcaspiringlactationprofessionals
- IBCLC Prep and Mentor Group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/191408454795368
- Becoming an IBCLC & Beyond – https://www.facebook.com/groups/322589831889514
- Free CERPs – https://www.facebook.com/groups/401220451130249
Scholarships and Funding
There are few opportunities for funding but some organizations offer annual and occasional scholarships. Be sure to join their email lists and check back from time to time to see if there are new opportunities.
- Baby Buddha: https://babybuddhaproducts.com/pages/babybuddha-ibclc-scholarship-program
- NLCA (National Lactation Consultant Alliance):
- Join their email list: https://nlca.us8.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=54056b16ef8ca14b0b40efcf7&id=5f48a5046f
- GOLD Lactation Academy:
- https://www.lactationacademy.com/pages/gold-lactation-academy-95-hour-program-scholarships
- Join their email list by scrolling to the bottom of this page: https://www.lactationacademy.com/
- USLCSA:
- Lactation Education Resources:
- Health e-Learning:
- Join their email list:
- Pacify.com: https://www.pacify.com/why-pacify/scholarships
- MILCC (Monetary Investment in Lactation Consultant Certification):
LEAARC-Approved Pathway 1 & 3 IBCLC Education Programs
Note: Inclusion in this list does not imply NJBC’s endorsement or assessment of education quality.
- GOLD Lactation Academy:
- 95+ Hour Course
- Communication Hours packages:
- 5 General Education Courses
- NLCA: 2-Hour WHO Code Course
- Lactation University:
- Free webinar on becoming an IBCLC
- 95-Hour Course, awards the Certified Lactation Professional™ (CLP) certificate
- Foundations of Lactation Education (FLE) Course: 24 hours, includes opportunity to become a LUVS Community Leader to earn your Pathway 1 hours
- 24 Hour Certified Lactation Educator (CLE) Training Course
- 5 Hour Communication Course
- Health e-Learning:
- Lactation Education Training (BreastEd)
- 120 CERPs (106.5L, 6E & 7.5R CERPs/120 CPD/CH), includes the required minimum 5 hours of communication skills and 2 hours of WHO Code training.
- Lactation Education Training (BreastEd)
- LER (Lactation Education Resources)
- 95+ Hour Lactation Consultant Training Program Enriched, including the communication skills training and WHO Code education, awards the Certified Breastfeeding Specialist (CBS) Certificate™
- 52+ Hour Core Lactation Consultant Course, includes including the communication skills training and WHO Code education, awards the Certified Breastfeeding Specialist (CBS) Certificate™
- 45+ Hour Lactation Consultant Bridge Course, designed for those who already have basic lactation training, to provide advanced training and reach IBCLC exam eligibility. Doesn’t include communication skills and WHO Code education.
- 5 Health Science General Education Courses (or buy separately)
- IBLCE Exam Review and IBLCE Exam Review Enriched
- Evergreen Perinatal Education
- Feeding Families:
- 95 Hour Infant Feeding Counselor® Course– tri-annual 18-week cohorts, awards Infant Feeding Counselor Certification
- 45-Hour “The CLS to IFC® Fast Track” Course
- IFC Capstone
- IBCLC Exam Study Guide
- Mentorship program that allows you to work independently – prerequisite: completion of IFC Course.
- Continuing education
Health Sciences Courses
- Walden University/Lactation Education Resources (LER) Lactation Consultant Health Sciences Bundle
- Study.com
- Sophia.org
Clinical Internships for Pathways 1 and 3
If you are starting to explore potential in-person clinical internship sites in New Jersey, visit our Pathway 3 Mentor Database. When contacting future mentors, let them know what parts of the process you have completed so far and what your plans are for completing the rest. Including a thoughtful message and your resume will more likely elicit a response. As of December 2025, there are no official hospital clinical internship programs in New Jersey.
Be aware that some mentors charge for their mentoring services while others expect trade for your support services. Some organized programs such as the ones below charge a flat or hourly fee. Peer counseling programs require personal experience breastfeeding.
- Pathway 1: Pathway 1 IBCLC candidates must:
- Practice as a Recognized Health Professional
- or provide breastfeeding support through a Recognized Breastfeeding Support Counsellor Organization. If you are looking at this list to gain clinical hours for your IBCLC application (Pathway 1), you must be an accredited volunteer or employee of these specific organizations. Simply attending their meetings does not count; you must be a trained counselor within their structure.
- Baby Cafe USA – the Cooper-Camden Baby Cafe is the only Baby Cafe in NJ, co-founded and run by our Trustee, Sindy Ferreira, MPH, IBCLC
- La Leche League
- Chocolate Milk Café – email northnj@chocolatemilkcafe.org
- WIC as a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor – you will need to contact individual local agencies. (Prerequisites include having
- Sistahs Who Breastfeed (SWB) (East Orange, NJ)
- Breastfeeding USA
- Global Military Lactation Community (Formerly Mom2Mom Global)
- Remote: Lactation University’s Volunteer Support Program (prerequisite: Lactation University’s Foundations of Lactation Education (FLE) Course)
- Pathway 3: 500 hours of directly supervised lactation specific clinical practice obtained under the direct supervision of an IBCLC(s). Pathway 3 plans must be verified (includes an application fee) prior to earning the clinical hours.
- Pathway 3 Mentor Database
- LER Lactation Pathway 3 Internship Program (prerequisite: completion of 95 hours lactation education)
- If you’re close to Philadelphia, you might consider the Breastfeeding Resource Center’s Mentorship Program – they work with Temple Women & Families Hospital in Philadelphia and Holy Redeemer Hospital in Meadowbrook, PA.
Almost At the Finish Line?
If you’re signed up for the IBCLC exam in April (or planning further ahead) don’t miss out on this free webinar on Jan 14! The session will cover test-taking strategies, how to make the most of your study period, live question and answer periods: https://www.lactationacademy.com/pages/webinar-signup-preparing-for-the-ibclc-exam
Updated December 2025
