Lactation Professional Training Programs

Before choosing a training program, I recommend looking at the different types of breastfeeding support professionals here. 

This list is alphabetical.
Please right click to open the links in a new window.
 
PROGRAMS TO TRAIN FUTURE IBCLCs
 
These are the programs that are LEAARC approved and based in America. There are only 7. LEAARC is the Lactation Education Accreditation and Approval Review Committee. www.leaarc.org You do not have to go through a LEAARC approved program to count towards your 90 hours of lactation education to be an IBCLC. It is required that the course director be an IBCLC. There are other programs taught by non-IBCLCs that are very good programs.
 
Academia Edupro
www.educadorenlactancia.com/index.php/es/
Certification: Professional certificate in educator in breastfeeding
Length of certification: not specified
Location: It’s based in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The program appears to be online, but my Spanish is rusty.
Note: This is the only LEAARC approved course that is offered in Spanish.
 
Arizona State University appears to have cancelled their class.
 
Breastfeeding Outlook
www.breastfeedingoutlook.com
Certification: certified clinical lactationist (CCL)
Length of certification: 3 years
Location: choose between online or a workshop
 
Healthy Children’s Project
www.healthychildren.cc
Certification: Certified Lactation Counselor® (CLC)
Length of Certification: 3 years
Location: 5 day workshop, locations vary throughout country
Note: This is a widely recognized credential in America. Employers may require either IBCLC or CLC.
 
Lactation Education Consultants
www.lactationeducationconsultants.com
Certification: certified lactation specialist
Length of Certification: 5 years
Location: workshops in multiple states
 
Lactation Education Resources
www.lactationtraining.com
Certification: certified breastfeeding specialist (CBS)
Length of Certification: 5 years
Location: online
Note: I went through this program in 2014. I loved it! It was very in depth.
 
Riverside University Health System – Public Health
www.lovingsupport.org
They have a “grow our own lactation consultant program” but the website links are not working.
 
University of California San Diego, extension
www.breastfeeding-education.com
Certification: Lactation Educator Counselor (CLEC)
Length of Certification: 5 years, the school offers a refresher course
Location: You can choose to do it entirely online or attend classes on campus.
Note: This is a very well-respected program. A lot of IBCLCs recommend it.
 
PROGRAMS NOT DESIGNED TO TRAIN IBCLCs
 
Bebo Mia (based out of Canada)
www.bebomia.com
Certification: Breastfeeding educator
Length of certification: not specified
Location: online 

Birth Arts International
www.birtharts.com
Certification: certified breastfeeding educator
Length of Certification: not specified
Location: online
 
California Advanced Lactation Institute
www.californiaadvancedlactationinstitute.com/welcome/
Certification: lactation education specialist
Length of Certification: not specified
Location: Bakersfield, California
 
CAPPA
www.cappa.net
certification: certified lactation educator (CLE)
Length of Certification: 3 years
Location: workshop locations throughout the country

Charis Childbirth
www.charischildbirth.org 
Certification: lactation counselor
Length of certification: not specified
Location: workshops in North Port, Florida
Note: This is a Christian-based program.

Childbirth International
www.childbirthinternational.com
Certification: certified breastfeeding counselor
Length of Certification: does not expire
Location: online
 
Commonsense Childbirth by Jennie Joseph
www.commonsensechildbirth.org/doula-training-and-certification 
Certification: certified lactation educator
Length of Certification: not specified
Location: workshops are in Orlando, Florida
 
Doula Trainings International
www.doulatrainingsinternational.com
Certification: Lactation Support Specialist
Length of Certification: 3 years
Location: online
 
Simkin Center
http://bastyr.edu/simkin-center
Website not working. Unable to retrieve information.  
 
 
PROGRAMS I RECOMMEND

• Lactation Education Resources = CBS (certified breastfeeding specialist)
• UCSD = CLEC (certificated lactation educator counselor)
• Healthy Childrens = CLC (certified lactation counselor)
• Childbirth International = certified breastfeeding counselor [certificate does not expire]
• CAPPA = CLE (certified lactation educator)