50-hour Lactation Counselor & Educator (LCE) Foundation Self-Study Course
This course provides:
- The stand-alone LCE credential. (Scope of practice below the LactaLearning difference table.)
- 50 of the required 95 hours of lactation specific education needed to qualify for the IBCLC exam, including the required 5 hours of communication skills.
- 50 L-CERPs that can be used for IBCLC recertification.
- 50 Nursing Contact Hours
This professional lactation training provides you with the foundational the clinical and communication skills needed to effectively help nursing families.
Course participants will:
- Gain mastery of topics covered in the IBCLC Detailed Content Outline
- Complete one assignment
- Take 9 short quizzes
- Complete a final evaluation
The goal of this course is to provide the skills and insights needed to apply lactation theory to clinical practice.
Cost: $599
Breakdown of course topics from the IBCLC Detailed Content Outline:
I: Devevopement & Nurtition 10 CERPs
II: Physiology & Endocronology 2 CERPs
III: Pathology 11 CERPs
IV: Pharmacology &Toxicology 4 CERPs
V: Psychology, Sociology, & Anthropolgy 0 CERPs
VI: Techniques 9 CERPs
VII: Clinical Skills 14 CERPs Including 5 CERPs in Communication Skills
After completing the 50-hour Foundation LCE course, LactaLearning offers our 45-hour Completion Course for those who want to receive all 95 hours of the Lactation Specific education required to qualify for the IBCLC Exam. Go here for more information.
What does it mean to be a certified LCE?
Certification guarantees that the person has:
- Completed a top-quality professional training program, focused on lactation and communication skills
- Demonstrated competency regarding core relevant knowledge through an assignment and 13 quizzes.
- Agreed to abide by a defined Scope of Practice for an LCE (see below)
Certification Requirements
- Complete 50-hour training course, focused on lactation and communication skills
- Review and study all lessons and turn in assignment of self-paced pre-work components
- Pass 13 quizzes to show knowledge and understanding
- Agree to Abide by the LCE Scope of Practice
Recertification
In order to maintain your LCE credential, you may choose any of these options within 5 years of your initial certification and subsequent recertification dates:
- Retake the LCE course
- Earn 25 L- or E-CERPs, and pay fee of $75 (include your proof of certs completed)
- Gain CCLS credential through LactaLearning (Send us your IBCLC number upon initial certification. If you do not maintain IBCLC status, you may use either of the above options to recertify as an LCE)
- Gain IBCLC credential
LCE Scope of Practice based upon the Breastfeeding Scope of Practice by WIC Staff Level Three. LCEs may help with:
- Latching and positioning
- Flat or inverted nipples
- Alternative feeding devices
- Engorgement
- Plugged ducts
- Weaning
- Maintaining ongoing milk supply
- Multiples
- Supplemental feedings
- Informal milk sharing
- Bottle feeding
- Pacifier use
- Reflux
- Abrupt weaning
- Inadequate weight gain
- Preterm babies over 34 weeks gestation
- Weight gain issues
- Providing medication information from Hale's Medications and Mother's Milk
- Supporting a baby with infant thrush
- Supporting a baby with allergies
- Supporting a baby with food intolerances
- Supporting a baby with lactose overload
- Supporting lactation with diabetes, thyroid conditions, pituitary dysfunction, being overweight, nursing while pregnant, and HIV/AIDs
- Supporting a baby with jaundice
- Referring to health care provider for persistent nipple pain not resolved with latching and positioning help
- Referring to health care provider and help with mastitis