Breastfeeding Educator Certification
Exceeds IBCLC Lactation Education Requirements
Breastfeeding Educator Certification (BEC) Human Milk Feeding Certification assists families with breastfeeding and nourishing their infant with confidence and pride!
Breastfeeding Educator Certification Outline
Want to help families? This is the program for you.
You will be a qualified breastfeeding consultant when you complete the Breastfeeding Educator Certification (BEC) program. Consult with families, teach, support, and educate on breastfeeding and related issues and policies. This program exceeds the IBCLE education guidelines.
3-Monthly Payments of $235.00
CLASSES
What will I learn?
Course Requirements:
- Complete all online activities.
- Read all required reading materials.
- Attend local breastfeeding organizations in your local community.
- Work for clients in your community.
- Complete activities to help you assist families.
- Final Exam for Certification and IBCLC Prep.
400+ hour educational program.
You will have access to over 40 educational lectures. The classroom lectures are from scientists, educators, IBCLCs, inclusive course materials, nursing position guides, updates, relevant supportive resources, etc. We also have great bonuses like flashcard templates to help you prep for IBCLC, our nursing position e-book, and much more.
Core Educational Components (200 Hours)
I. Lactation Science & Physiology (60 Hours)
- Breast anatomy and physiology
- Hormonal regulation of lactation
- Composition of human milk
- Infant reflexes and suck-swallow-breathe coordination
- Breastfeeding and immune system development
- Growth patterns and weight gain in breastfed infants
- Impact of medications, birth interventions, and maternal health on lactation
II. Practical Breastfeeding Skills (40 Hours)
- Latch and positioning techniques
- Hand expression and pumping
- Addressing common breastfeeding challenges (low supply, oversupply, engorgement, mastitis)
- Supplementation methods (SNS, cup feeding, finger feeding)
- Weaning and transition to solids
- Tandem nursing and extended breastfeeding
- Relactation and induced lactation
III. Counseling & Communication (30 Hours)
- Effective client-centered counseling skills
- Motivational interviewing techniques
- Providing culturally competent care
- Emotional aspects of breastfeeding and postpartum support
- Supporting parents through common concerns and challenges
- Partner and family involvement in breastfeeding
IV. WHO Code & Ethical Considerations (5 Hours)
- WHO International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes
- Ethical responsibilities of lactation professionals
- Industry influence on breastfeeding practices
- Implementing evidence-based lactation support
V. Special Circumstances & Advanced Topics (25 Hours)
- Premature and NICU breastfeeding support
- Breastfeeding after breast surgery
- Tongue-tie and other oral restrictions
- Breastfeeding multiples
- Milk banking and donor milk use
- Lactation support for LGBTQ+ families
- Supporting parents with disabilities
VI. Public Health & Advocacy (20 Hours)
- Global breastfeeding initiatives and policies
- Breastfeeding in the workplace and legal rights
- Community lactation support programs
- Social determinants of breastfeeding success
- Role of Breastfeeding Educators in public health
VII. Professional Development & IBCLC Prep (20 Hours)
- Career pathways and business strategies
- Professional ethics and scope of practice
- Preparing for IBCLC exam
- Case study reviews
- Evidence-based practice and continuing education
Extended Learning Opportunities (400+ Hours)
Beyond the core 200 hours, students have access to an extensive 400+ hour program, including:
✔️ 40+ Educational Lectures from lactation professionals, educators, and IBCLCs
✔️ Inclusive Course Materials – culturally competent and up-to-date lactation resources
✔️ Nursing Position Guides & E-Books for in-depth learning
✔️ IBCLC Flashcard Templates to aid in exam preparation
✔️ Continued Access to Supportive Resources for ongoing professional development
This program provides a solid foundation for breastfeeding educators and a stepping stone for those seeking IBCLC certification, ensuring well-rounded, evidence-based lactation knowledge that exceeds industry standards.
OBJECTIVES
Breastfeeding Educator Certification
Client Care
Learn to care for clients and their infant feeding needs with compassionate and supportive care.
- Ethics
- HIPPA
- Clinical Observations
- Client and Clinical Confidentiality
Anatomy and Physiology of Breastfeeding
- Anatomy of Lactation
- Physiology of Lactation
- Hormonal Influences of Lactation
- Infant Oral Anatomy and
- Development
- Sucking Skills
- Human Milk Ejection Reflex
- Human Milk Composition
- Immunological Benefits of Human Milk
- Lactation Biology
- Mammary Gland Structure
- Mammary Gland Development
Terminology and Practice Information
- Terminology and Practice Information
- BEC Documentation
- Universal Precautions
Initiating Feedings
- Initiating Feedings
- Breastfeeding/chestfeeding Multiples
- What is Chestfeeding?
- Breast/Top Surgery
- Positioning and Latch
- Breast Pumps and Manual Expression and Milk Storage
- How to Choose a Breast Pump
- Breast Milk: How to Pump Breastmilk and Storage
- Breastfeeding Resources and Organizations
Post Birth Recovery
- Post Birth Recovery
- Engorgement
- Plugged or Blocked Ducts
- Thrush/ Candida and Nursing
- Mastitis
- Lactational Abscess
- Benefits of Placental Encapsulation
Nutrition
-
Nutrition for the Nursing Parent
-
Nutritional Guidelines
- Growth Charts
Medications and Nursing
- Medications and Nursing
- Safety and Considerations
- Medicine Classifications for Lactation and what they mean.
- Medication Resources
Partners
-
Partners and the World Around Us and its Effects on Nursing
- History of Lactation
- Disparities in Nursing
- Racial and Ethnic Differences in Breastfeeding
- LGBTQIA+ Support
- LGBTQIA+ Family Support
- Heath Disparities in Populations
When Nursing Fails
- When nursing fails.
- Supporting Clients
- Offering Support in All Forms
Infant and Parental Health
- Infant and Parent Health Concerns
- Epigenetic Effects on Human Breastfeeding Resource
Issues
- Breast/ Chest Related Problems
- Anomalies and Variations
- Common Issues like: Nipple Variations, Plugged Ducts, Mastitis, Abscess, Dermatoses, Candidiasis
Milk Blister, Mammoplasty, Surgery, Lumps Galactoceles, Bleeding from the Breast/Chest Tissue, Breast Cancer, Fibrocystic Changes - Tongue, Lip, and Buccal Ties
- Weaning
Counseling Skills and Business
- Counseling Skills and Business
- Ethics and Confidentiality
- Running a business
- What you need to get started on the right track.
- Small Business Taxes
TESTIMONIALS
What Our Students Say
I loved that I was able to go at my own pace. I also liked what was put in a way that I could fully understand. I also liked the diversity in the reading material. I wouldn’t change a thing!
A. Carter
Breastfeeding Educator Graduate
I love how prepared I feel to help others on their breastfeeding journey. While taking the class, I was able to help several friends, coworkers, and clients to latch and enjoy their breastfeeding experience. I felt confident in my abilities and learned a tremendous amount. This program has encouraged me to become an IBCLC.
Latisha Suitte
Breastfeeding Educator Graduate
The course was very comprehensive and covered a wide spectrum of relevant topics. I liked the videos and also found the required textbooks very good and well-written.
Inghild Rumpf
Breastfeeding Educator Graduate
I loved that it was so thorough and self-paced.
Jaime Mackey
Breastfeeding Educator Graduate
I loved all the handouts and extra information.
Nicole Santana
Breastfeeding Educator Graduate
The course is continuously updated in response to changes within the profession and the rapidly expanding scientific knowledge body.
Are you a doula, postpartum doula, nurse, or allied health professional? Please email us for an enrollment coupon, so we can help you to support families.
In addition, are you serving a population affected by health disparities? If so, please email us a partial scholarship. All fees are in USD.
Enroll Now!
Enroll now and begin your journey as a professional birth worker.