Have you always dreamed of helping families with breastfeeding? In today’s episode of Lactation Business Coaching with Annie & Leah, we talk about how we became International Board Certified Lactation Consultants, also known as IBCLCs. We discuss the different pathways to becoming eligible to sit for the board exam and break down the biggest things we have learned in the years since we first certified.

Annie and Leah break down what it looks like logistically to become certified and bust some myths on what some people might think it takes to become an IBCLC. They share with us their biggest takeaways now that they have both been certified for many years and some eye-opening experiences they’ve had. We get a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to become an IBCLC and who this might be a great path for.

"The piece of advice that I got and so grateful for was kind of like, Hey, heads up, you're going to have to always be learning.”

In this episode, we will cover:

• Defining what IBCLC even stands for (02:32)
• The 3 pathways to becoming an IBCLC (03:48)
• The truth around the complex work as an IBCLC (11:44)
• Learning never stops even after your exam (17:28)
• Annie & Leah’s biggest surprises when becoming IBCLCs (16:49)

Links and Resources

• How To Become An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) paperlesslactation.com/blog/2018/5/18/how-to-become-an-international-board-certified-lactation-consultant-ibclc
• What Do You Wish You Knew When You First Started Out? (Podcast) https://paperlesslactation.com/the-podcast/what-do-you-wish-you-knew-when-you-first-started-out
• Step 1: Prepare for IBCLC Certification https://iblce.org/step-1-prepare-for-ibclc-certification/
• Is Covid-19 a Detour on the Road to Becoming an IBCLC https://www.lactationtraining.com/nikki-nikki-7
• Subscribe to the Deeper Dive Membership: https://learn.paperlesslactation.com/subscription/deeper-dive-membership
• Have an idea for a podcast episode or a Deeper Dive? Let us know! https://learn.paperlesslactation.com/form/collaborate

If you like what you heard today, please follow us on Facebook and Instagram and leave us a review on iTunes. 

About Us

Leah Jolly is a private practice IBCLC with Bay Area Breastfeeding in Houston, Texas.

Annie Frisbie is a private practice IBCLC serving Queens and Brooklyn in New York City and the creator of the Lactation Consultant Private Practice Toolkit.

Many thanks to Stephanie Granade for her production assistance, and to Silas Wade for creating our theme music