Lactation Consultant Schools in New York - NY

Obtaining a secondary and/or post-secondary degree will increase the opportunities a lactation consultant has when looking for employment in New York. There are several ways to obtain the necessary lactation consultant training and experience to become certified in New York. Certain college-level courses are mandatory, including anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, sociology, nutrition, child development, and psychology.  Those who wish to become a lactation consultant might seriously consider obtaining a degree and licensure in a healthcare field such as nursing, midwifery, or nutrition, as this kind of educational and practical experience can help open doors for future employment.

In addition to the general coursework, lactation consultants in New York must also take specialized courses, which focus on the specific concerns breastfeeding mothers face. The counseling aspect is very important, as new mothers often need encouragement and support in order to successfully breastfeed. For this and other reasons, New York lactation consultants must also acquire several hundred hours of practical experience under the supervision of an experienced lactation consultant prior to earning their certification.

Careful planning is necessary in order to have the right coursework and experience prior to sitting for the certification exam. Recent changes mandate that all requirements be completed prior to taking the exam, and some courses, specifically those in lactation counseling, must not be taken more than five years prior to the exam.