Provide in-person consultations, telephone consultations, or online breastfeeding and lactation care that supports breastfeeding families, including lactation assistance to pregnant and breastfeeding clients and lactation education to families and/or professionals. These hours are to be obtained within the 5 years immediately prior to applying for the examination.
There are three Pathways to obtaining lactation specific clinical hours:
- Pathway 1: Recognised Health Professionals and Recognised Breastfeeding Support Counsellors
1000 hours of lactation specific clinical practice in an appropriate supervised setting. - Pathway 2: Accredited Lactation Academic Programmes
Complete an accredited lactation academic programme that includes a minimum of 300 hours of directly supervised lactation specific clinical practice. - Pathway 3: Mentorship with an IBCLC
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.
NOTE: Actual practice and provision of lactation and breastfeeding care is required. Observation or shadowing of lactation practitioners doesn’t count as lactation specific clinical experience hours.
Ready to learn more about each pathway? Explore the details of Pathway 1, 2, and 3 below!
