Lactation Consultant Schools in Rhode Island - RI

While obstetricians take care of the new mother and pediatricians focus on the health of the new baby, a lactation consultant is in a unique healthcare professional role that serves both mother and baby, with the goal of making the breastfeeding experience a successful one.

In order to assist new mothers to successfully breastfeed their infants, the International Board of Lactation consultant Examiners (IBLCE) requires that candidates complete at least 45 hours of education courses that are specifically geared towards human lactation and breastfeeding to achieve certification as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) Many of these classes can be taken through online learning. Please be aware that in the future, the requirement will increase to a minimum of 90 hours.

As for lactation consultant training available in Rhode Island, the School of Nursing at Rhode Island College and the College of Nursing at the University of Rhode Island both have nursing programs that lead to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing where students take courses such as Nursing in Childbearing and Reproductive Health and Nursing in Children to satisfy the education requirements.

Students must also obtain clinical experience where they are directly supervised. Possible locations may include hospital settings, private lactation practice groups, public health clinics, pediatric practices and other physician’s practices.  The number of hours of direct supervised clinical experience may vary, according to certification requirements.