Lactation Consultant Schools in California - CA

Lactation consultant training in California usually consists of two components: academic education and clinical experience. Most professionals enter into this occupation by first gaining a college degree in a health care related field. Luckily, California is home to literally dozens of state colleges and universities that offer degrees in nursing, vocational nursing, medical assistance, human services, health administration, health care education and surgical technology. Most lactation consultants possess at least a bachelor degree in health care, although a master degree is preferred.

In addition, training should also include lactation and breastfeeding specific education. Organizations like Women, Infants and Children (WIC), Breastfeeding Support Consultants, and the Center for Breastfeeding and Health e-Learning offer 45-200 hour distance learning courses in lactation consulting. Some examples of courses found in these programs include: Management of Breastfeeding, Mechanics of Breastfeeding, Breastfeeding Devices and Feeding Alternatives, and Communication and Counseling Skills. After earning a degree in health care and completing a lactation specific education program, students must gain clinical work experience (paid or unpaid). Often, academic programs will provide clinical experience as part of the curriculum. However, supervised clinical experience can also be gained through internships, job shadowing, peer counseling, and volunteering in maternal health care facilities like hospitals and medical clinics throughout California.

Through campus based and online programs, aspiring Lactation Consultants in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose and San Francisco, California may be able to prepare themselves for the possibility of employment in some of the largest hospitals and healthcare facilities in the state including Laguna Honda Hospital, Community Regional Medical Center, L.A. County & USC Medical Center, and Huntington Hospital.