Mentorship

IBCLC Pathway 3 Mentorship

LCB + Pathway 3

There are three recognized pathways to becoming an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). Pathway 1 is typically completed through employment in a clinical setting, and Pathway 2 is completed through structured academic programs. Pathway 3 allows aspiring IBCLCs to work directly with an approved mentor while gaining the clinical hours required for certification. LCB proudly supports Pathway 3 mentorship, providing a structured, supportive environment where aspiring lactation consultants can develop real-world clinical skills under experienced guidance.

Earn While You Learn

At LCB, we believe the path to becoming an IBCLC should be defined by your passion, dedication, and clinical skill – not by financial or geographic limitations. Once our mentees demonstrate a strong level of clinical readiness, LCB compensates them for time spent working with patients. Many learning experiences are conducted virtually, allowing you to train with us no matter where you live while gaining meaningful clinical exposure.

Grow Your Practice

Our goal is not just to help you complete your required hours. We aim to help you launch a sustainable and fulfilling career in lactation care. By offering unique marketing and referrals that help you build a client base in your own community, LCB helps our mentees transition from trainee to practicing lactation consultant with real-world experience and local visibility.

Mentorship Program Qualifications

Applicants to LCB’s Mentorship Program will be considered on a case-by-case basis. To be admitted into the program, you must:

  • Have 90 hours of lactation-specific education completed

  • Have all of the 14 health science requirements completed

  • Be ready to begin your clinical hours

How it Works

We guide you through five distinct phases of professional growth:

Phase 1: Clinical Observation: Learn by watching lactation specialists in action.

Phase 2: Transition to Clinical Practice: Lead consultations with direct oversight while working with an LCB business consultant to develop your private practice business plan.

Phase 3: Supervised Independent Practice: Take consultations independently within your scope and with mentor guidance while LCB credentialing specialists apply you for in-network insurance contracts and the LCB billing team starts phasing you into their provider billing model.

Phase 4: Exam Preparation & Continued Practice: Continue seeing patients while you apply and sit for the IBLCE board exam.

Phase 5: IBCLC Certification: Celebrate your new credentials, obtain additional IBCLC-only insurance contracts, and launch your career.

Why Mentee with LCB?

The LCB Toolkit for Success:

  • Support Network: A professional peer network connecting you with other mentees in our provider network to educate and guide you through the mentorship process.

  • Supply List: Comprehensive list of the products you’ll need to get started and be successful.

  • Instant Client Base: Prenatal breastfeeding class teaching opportunities. Appointments marketed for you through our active lactation practices.

  • Scheduling Support: We handle scheduling for you from day one until you complete your 500 hours.

  • No-Fuss Billing: We manage insurance verification and billing on your behalf so you can begin seeing your in-network clients right away.

  • Tech Support: One-on-one assistance building your professional practice website.

  • Attentive Progress Tracking: Monthly 1:1 calls with the Mentorship Director.

  • Hybrid In-Person/Virtual Model: Benefit from the in-person clinical experience, the flexibility of virtual appointments and classes, and a virtual network of peers and expert mentors.

  • Earn While You Learn: We provide competitive pay for working during your clinical hours rather than making you pay to earn your hours.

  • Tiered Growth: Your compensation increases with each phase you complete. As you build skills and confidence, your growth deserves recognition!

What You’ll Do

Clinical Excellence

  • Assessments: Develop advanced assessment skills across the maternal–infant dyad, including breast/nipple and oral anatomy evaluations, while recognizing mental health concerns and making appropriate interdisciplinary referrals.
  • Feeding Support: Provide hands-on support to optimize latching and positioning while addressing common feeding challenges, including low milk supply, slow weight gain, ineffective milk transfer, breast refusal, clusterfeeding oversupply, and feeding-related discomfort.
  • Maternal–Infant Nutrition: Educate and support the dyad by developing a comprehensive understanding of infant feeding and maternal supply, including how to assess intake, milk transfer, and growth to support optimal nutrition.
  • Tool Mastery: Provide comprehensive guidance on the use of feeding tools (pumps, nipple shields, SNS, bottles) and develop individualized strategies for exclusive pumping, combination feeding, return to work, and weaning.
  • Care Plans: Develop evidence-based, culturally sensitive care plans to fit each family’s needs.
  • Virtual Care: Learn skills for success in virtual assessments, monitoring, and education.

Documentation

  • Charting: Maintain HIPAA-compliant, accurate medical records.
  • Practice Management: Build foundational skills in managing a lactation practice, including billing, claims submission, and reimbursement workflows, with direct support from LCB to guide setup, processes, and ongoing success.

Common Questions

Answer: During Phase 2, after your clinical observation period is over. During this period, you will lead consultations with direct oversight from your mentor.

Answer: When you join our mentorship program, your educational hours are already fulfilled. From there, you’ll focus on completing your clinical hours, which generally takes about one year, depending on your schedule and consistency.

Answer: Start by filling out the application form. We’ll review your application and follow up about scheduling an interview.

Answer: Through virtual group classes and one-on-one appointments.

Answer: Your address will be added as a service location to our directory so clients in your area will be able to find you.

Apply for mentorship