Are you a caring individual who loves helping others and has a passion for healthcare? Do you have experience working with children or as a nanny or babysitter? If so, becoming a lactation consultant may be the perfect job for you! Let’s face it: Working as a lactation consultant requires a lot of dedication and patience. You’ll be dealing with brand-new parents who are afraid they won’t be able to feed their newborn child. It can be stressful sometimes, but if you love connecting with people and helping them overcome obstacles, this job could be perfect for you! Please keep reading to learn more about what it takes to become a lactation consultant and how to land this job easily.
Lactation Consultant Resume Example
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Lactation Consultant Resume Example
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Board Certified Lactation Consultant Resume Example
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Registered Nurse Resume Example
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What is a lactation consultant?
If you’re worried that you don’t know what a lactation consultant does, don’t be: Most new parents have any idea what a lactation consultant does. And that’s understandable — this profession is not one that many people are aware of. Simply put, a lactation consultant is a person who supports new mothers in breastfeeding their newborns (and beyond). In addition, a lactation consultant generally helps new mothers overcome any obstacles they face with breastfeeding, such as sore nipples, low milk supply, or getting their baby to latch correctly.
How to become a lactation consultant
Becoming a lactation consultant requires a lot of patience. You’ll need to be able to calmly and compassionately deal with stressed-out new parents who often deal with a lot of pain and frustration. If you can show a new mother the support she needs to achieve breastfeeding success, you’re well to becoming a lactation consultant! First and foremost, before you can become a lactation consultant, you’ll need to show you have a high level of knowledge about breastfeeding. You’ll need to be able to read a baby’s cues and know how to respond appropriately in any situation. You’ll need to be knowledgeable about any possible complications and have a good idea of how to solve them.
What’s the job outlook for lactation consultants?
While the job outlook may vary depending on the economy, you can rest assured that there will always be a need for lactation consultants. New parents will always have questions and concerns about how to feed their children, and many will need someone to show them how to do so effectively. There will be times when there are many more new parents than others, but there will always be a need for lactation consultants. And as more and more hospitals begin to recommend breastfeeding over formula, that need will only increase.
How to become a lactation consultant: Education and training
If you’re genuinely passionate about helping new parents learn how to breastfeed, getting your certification is the best way to become a lactation consultant. In most states, you’ll need a certificate in breastfeeding from the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) to be recognized as a lactation consultant. The certification exam is challenging but doable, and you can prepare for it by taking one of the many online lactation courses. You can also earn your certification by completing a lactation consultant training program.
Earning potential as a lactation consultant
There is, unfortunately, no set salary for lactation consultants, and the amount you earn will depend on the type of work you do. If you work for a hospital, your salary will be more competitive, but you may have less flexibility in your hours and benefits. If you decide to go into private practice, you can set your prices and have more control over your schedule, but you’ll have less certainty about your future earnings and benefits. That said, the average salary for a lactation consultant is over $43,000 a year, and many lactation consultants earn much more than that.
Final Words
Becoming a lactation consultant is a rewarding career that will help you connect with new parents and help them overcome breastfeeding challenges and confidently feed their children. If you’re passionate about breastfeeding and have experience helping others, you could be an excellent fit for this profession. Becoming a lactation consultant requires good communication skills and breastfeeding knowledge, but it’s well worth it in the end.