Subscribe to Notes on Nursing, our monthly news digest.

Lactation Consultant

A Lactation Consultant helps new mothers breastfeed their babies and solve any problems that may come up.
Required education
ADN or BSN
Average annual salary
Attributes
Independent
Work on your own or even start your own practice, in some states.
Patient-facing
Work hands-on, directly with patients.
Structured
Follow a routine that allows you to anticipate and prepare for every situation.
Varied
Take on different tasks, patients, and situations every day.
You can work for a hospital or for yourself, become an advocate for breastfeeding, design breastfeeding programs or teach continuing education classes.
Nursing bag, medication, and signs cartoon graphic
What you’ll do

Advice

You’ll advise patients on successful breastfeeding and breast pump practices.

Education

You’ll teach people about the importance of breastfeeding and hold classes for expectant mothers.

Support

You’ll help patients who are suffering from postpartum depression.

Where you'll work
  • Hospitals
  • Doctors’ offices
How to become a Lactation Consultant

01

Get an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), taking elective courses in neonatal nursing.

02

Pass the NCLEX-RN.

03

Work as a Registered Nurse, gaining experience in Labor and Delivery and Neonatal nursing.

04

Get your Lactation Consultant Board Certification from the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners.

05

You’re ready to work as a Lactation Consultant.

Join an Organization
Become a member of a Lactation Consultant organization to find career opportunities, learn from your colleagues, and support the profession.
A Managed Care Nurse’s role is also structured.
A Gerontological Nurse Practitioner is another type of family nurse.
Group of smiling nurses in scrubs holding folders
Group of smiling nurses in scrubs holding folders
Subscribe to Notes on Nursing, our monthly news digest.
Explore issues of our monthly newsletter, which features the many ways nurses' innovation and leadership drive transformative change in healthcare.