Written on 14 July 2011.

Onsite Inpatient Breastfeeding Specialist

This course focuses on the skills necessary to assist mothers to initiate breastfeeding and problem solve common difficulties in the first 5 days of baby's life. Join our experienced instructors as they present content designed to promote breastfeeding and provide the student with the information and skills necessary to assist in most common breastfeeding challenges. This course is perfect for those who work with breastfeeding families in this critical time period.

Learn to help families get breastfeeding off to a great start and address the most common lactation difficulties.

Class meets the training requirements for aspiring doulas.

The 1 Day course grants:

7 CERPs
7 Nursing Contact Hours
7 CPEs

The 2 Days course grants:

14 CERPs
14 Nursing Contact Hours
14 CPEs

Course Topics

Anatomy and physiology of the breast
Medications in breastmilk
Infant conditions that can impact breastfeeding
Impact of birthing practices on breastfeeding
Skin to skin
Positioning and latch-on
Anticpatory guidance
- Jaundice
- Engorgement
- Second night syndrome
- Nipple Pain

Late pre-term and NICU babies
Support the mother separated from her infant
- Hand expression
- Use of breast pump
- Supplementation methods
- Amount to supplement
Frequency and duration of feedings
When to use devices
Case studies

**Some facilities may modify the topics covered.

Course Objectives

Describe two hormones that affect lactation
Demonstrate and assist mothers in baby led and mother led latching techniques
Appraise milk transfer from mother to baby
Benefits of skin to skin
Describe three characteristics of the pre-term baby and how it can impact breastfeeding
Recognize medical reasons for supplementation
Identify three causes of engorgement
Define medications that are contraindicated in breastfeeding mothers

Course Instructors

Angela Love-Zaranka BA, IBCLC, RLC Angela Love-Zaranka has been a La Leche Leader since 1990 and a Board Certified Lactation Consultant since 1997. She has served on several non-profit boards as a member of the finance committee and/or treasurer. She received her undergraduate degree from Trinity College in Washington DC and her graduate work, also at Trinity, is towards a Master’s of Science in Administration, specializing in non-profit management.

She is an IBCLC in private practice in Alexandria, VA and is the lead Lactation Consultant at DeWitt Army Hospital in Alexandria, Virginia.

Nancy McAlduff RN BSN IBCLC RLCNancy McAlduff has been a registered nurse for 20 years and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant for 10 years. Her work experience includes inpatient labor and delivery, postpartum, special care nursery, and outpatient settings as a breastfeeding peer counselor, an educator, and private practice lactation consultant.

She continues to work as an inpatient lactation consultant on the mother-baby unit and volunteers with her state breastfeeding coalition.

Written on 15 July 2011.

Become an IBCLC with an LER Lactation Internship

Earn your Pathway 3 clinical hours at a site near you with LER’s expert support

If you are new to the field of lactation management and would like to qualify for the IBCLC exam by Pathway 3, the LER 500-hour Clinical Internship Program may be right for you.

Designed for aspiring IBCLCs using Pathway 3
Fulfills the clinical hours requirement for IBCLC exam eligibility
Offers a wide range of clinical experiences working with experienced lactation consultants

Our Internship Program

When you enroll in LER’s Clinical Internship Program:

We work with you in facilitating an internship at an existing hospital setting
We guide you through the process of finding an internship site close to home when possible
We work with your clinical site's education department to establish an affiliation agreement between the hospital and our school

Start-to-Finish Support

Throughout your internship, the internship director will:

Support and guide you through the process with regular check-ins
Offer monthly Google Meet meetings with other interns
Keep you on track with IBCLC Commission requirements
Advocate for you as needed

Eligibility Requirements

Prior to starting the 500-Hour Clinical Internship Program, students must:

Complete 95 hours of lactation-specific education
To ensure an educational background appropriate for a clinical setting, we only accept students that have completed all or a significant portion of their training through Lactation Education Resources

Take the First Step

Ready to learn more? You can begin the process by sending an email of interest to Amy Black, LER’s Internship Director. Together you will determine whether an LER 500-Hour Clinical Internship is the right fit for you.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Using Pathway 1?

Check out the LER HOURS program for your clinical hours. It’s designed just for you.

Learn About LER HOURS

500-hour Clinical Internship Program FAQs

Q. How do I sign up for an LER 500-Hour Clinical Internship?

A. The first step is to contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Together, you will determine whether the internship program is right for you and begin working through the process.
Q. How does the LER Pathway 3 Clinical Internship work?

A. Our Clinical Internship Program connects you with lactation professionals in your area and helps facilitate a Pathway 3 internship agreement. Lactation Education Resources will work with you in facilitating an internship at an existing hospital setting or guiding you through the process of finding a local internship site close to home when possible. Our clinical internship director will work with your clinical site's education department to establish an affiliation agreement between the hospital and our school.
Q. In addition to helping me establish an internship agreement, what else does LER do to support me during my internship?

A. The director of the internship program is there to support and guide you through the internship process, remind you of IBLCE requirements from the beginning to end of the internship, complete regular check-ins, offer monthly Google Meet meetings with other interns in the program for learning education, and advocate as needed.
Q. Who is eligible for an LER Pathway 3 Clinical Internship?

A. Students must complete 95 hours of lactation-specific education prior to starting an internship. To ensure that your education is appropriate for a clinical setting, please note we can only accept students that have completed all or a significant portion of their training through Lactation Education Resources.
Q. How long does it take to complete the 500-Hour LER Pathway 3 Clinical Internship?

A. Internships must be completed within 12 months.
Q. How much does the LER Pathway 3 Clinical Internship program cost?

A. Tuition to complete an LER Pathway 3 clinical internship is $2,000 USD. A $200 non-refundable pre-registration fee is due once your internship site/hospital agrees to take you; the remaining $1,800 balance may be paid in one lump sum at the beginning of your internship or in five equal payments, to be completed before the end of your internship.
Q. How do I apply for an LER Pathway 3 Clinical Internship?

A. The first step is to contact Amy Black, LER Internship Director, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Amy will assist you in finding or establishing a site for your internship. ONLY once you have established a clinical site with Amy, complete and submit the Intern Pre-Registration Form. Once an agreement is set up, complete the Intern Application Form and the Background Check Form (additional fee applies).
Q. Will I need to complete an interview at my internship site?

A. Yes. Interviews are required at each site to determine the suitability of the candidate, internship schedules, and expectations for each specific site.
Q. Will I definitely be able to find a site placement in my local area?

A. We are here to facilitate internships for students in hospital settings but cannot guarantee placement. Internships are currently only available in the United States.
Q. Does my LER internship need to be approved by the IBCLC Commission?

A. Yes. Your Pathway 3 internship MUST be pre-approved by the IBCLC Commission (formerly IBLCE) BEFORE you start your clinical hours. In addition, all IBCLC mentors will need to be approved prior to working clinical hours with each mentor. However, the first step is to contact LER Internship Director Amy Black to begin exploring an LER Internship, and IBCLC Commission approval is a later step. LER can help with this step once you are working with us.

Q. How do I sign up for an LER 500-Hour Clinical Internship?

A. The first step is to contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Together, you will determine whether the internship program is right for you and begin working through the process.
Q. How does the LER Pathway 3 Clinical Internship work?

A. Our Clinical Internship Program connects you with lactation professionals in your area and helps facilitate a Pathway 3 internship agreement. Lactation Education Resources will work with you in facilitating an internship at an existing hospital setting or guiding you through the process of finding a local internship site close to home when possible. Our clinical internship director will work with your clinical site's education department to establish an affiliation agreement between the hospital and our school.
Q. How does the LER Pathway 3 Clinical Internship work?

A. Our Clinical Internship Program connects you with lactation professionals in your area and helps facilitate a Pathway 3 internship agreement. Lactation Education Resources will work with you in facilitating an internship at an existing hospital setting or guiding you through the process of finding a local internship site close to home when possible. Our clinical internship director will work with your clinical site's education department to establish an affiliation agreement between the hospital and our school.
Q. In addition to helping me establish an internship agreement, what else does LER do to support me during my internship?

A. The director of the internship program is there to support and guide you through the internship process, remind you of IBLCE requirements from the beginning to end of the internship, complete regular check-ins, offer monthly Google Meet meetings with other interns in the program for learning education, and advocate as needed.
Q. Who is eligible for an LER Pathway 3 Clinical Internship?

A. Students must complete 95 hours of lactation-specific education prior to starting an internship. To ensure that your education is appropriate for a clinical setting, please note we can only accept students that have completed all or a significant portion of their training through Lactation Education Resources.
Q. How long does it take to complete the 500-Hour LER Pathway 3 Clinical Internship?

A. Internships must be completed within 12 months.
Q. How much does the LER Pathway 3 Clinical Internship program cost?

A. Tuition to complete an LER Pathway 3 clinical internship is $2,000 USD. A $200 non-refundable pre-registration fee is due once your internship site/hospital agrees to take you; the remaining $1,800 balance may be paid in one lump sum at the beginning of your internship or in five equal payments, to be completed before the end of your internship.
Q. How do I apply for an LER Pathway 3 Clinical Internship?

A. The first step is to contact Amy Black, LER Internship Director, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Amy will assist you in finding or establishing a site for your internship. ONLY once you have established a clinical site with Amy, complete and submit the Intern Pre-Registration Form. Once an agreement is set up, complete the Intern Application Form and the Background Check Form (additional fee applies).
Q. Will I need to complete an interview at my internship site?

A. Yes. Interviews are required at each site to determine the suitability of the candidate, internship schedules, and expectations for each specific site.
Q. Will I definitely be able to find a site placement in my local area?

A. We are here to facilitate internships for students in hospital settings but cannot guarantee placement. Internships are currently only available in the United States.
Q. Does my LER internship need to be approved by the IBCLC Commission?

A. Yes. Your Pathway 3 internship MUST be pre-approved by the IBCLC Commission (formerly IBLCE) BEFORE you start your clinical hours. In addition, all IBCLC mentors will need to be approved prior to working clinical hours with each mentor. However, the first step is to contact LER Internship Director Amy Black to begin exploring an LER Internship, and IBCLC Commission approval is a later step. LER can help with this step once you are working with us.

Internships for Current Lactation Care Providers

Internships aren’t just for aspiring IBCLCs! If you have a good deal of clinical lactation management practice or have recently certified as an IBCLC and would like to validate and enhance your clinical skills, the 100-hour program is for you. This program is specifically for professionals seeking to increase their experience in an area where they do not have experience, such as a NICU nurse who wants experience with outpatient, older healthy babies.

Experience the confidence and career boost that comes with an LER Internship! Find out more today by contacting Amy Black, LER Internship Director.

$1000 USD tuition

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Pathway 1 Hours Also Available

Are you using Pathway 1 to qualify for the IBCLC exam? Check out the LER HOURS program for your clinical hours. It’s designed just for you.

Learn More About LER HOURS

Testimonials

Utilizing the LER internship program, I was accepted to a local hospital's Mother/Baby Postpartum unit to shadow trained IBCLCs and complete many of the clinical hours required by Pathway 3. The internship experience was invaluable in providing hands-on experience working with parents and infants to meet their feeding goals, and extremely applicable to the information I was studying in preparation for the IBCLC exam.
–Stephanie W., BA, CBS

Utilizing the LER internship program, I was accepted to a local hospital's Mother/Baby Postpartum unit to shadow trained IBCLCs and complete many of the clinical hours required by Pathway 3. The internship experience was invaluable in providing hands-on experience working with parents and infants to meet their feeding goals, and extremely applicable to the information I was studying in preparation for the IBCLC exam.
–Stephanie W., BA, CBS
Obtaining a site for clinical hours was tricky in 2020, and without LER standing by my side while I waited for my clinical hours, I wouldn’t be where I am today ... I’m currently on track to become an IBCLC and plan to sit for my boards.
–Marley R., BSN, CBS

Obtaining a site for clinical hours was tricky in 2020, and without LER standing by my side while I waited for my clinical hours, I wouldn’t be where I am today ... I’m currently on track to become an IBCLC and plan to sit for my boards.
–Marley R., BSN, CBS
The mentors I have chosen provide client care in different settings and so I have been exposed to different cases, allowing me to take in a diverse learning experience.
–Keantae T. BSN

The mentors I have chosen provide client care in different settings and so I have been exposed to different cases, allowing me to take in a diverse learning experience.
–Keantae T. BSN
Since the beginning of my nursing career I always knew I had an interest in becoming an IBCLC. However, it felt like the process was too difficult – until I discovered the pathway 3 option through LER. I have almost completed my clinical training and hope to sit for the IBCLC exam next spring, a goal that a year ago I felt was impossible to achieve.
–Katie H., BSN, RN, PHN, CBS

Since the beginning of my nursing career I always knew I had an interest in becoming an IBCLC. However, it felt like the process was too difficult – until I discovered the pathway 3 option through LER. I have almost completed my clinical training and hope to sit for the IBCLC exam next spring, a goal that a year ago I felt was impossible to achieve.
–Katie H., BSN, RN, PHN, CBS
The LER Internship program runs like a well oiled machine. My mentor was RESPONSIVE and SUPPORTIVE and the process was very clear. Anyone going through the process of becoming an IBCLC will appreciate finding clear direction with nurturing mentorship.
–Chere J., IBCLC, CCE

The LER Internship program runs like a well oiled machine. My mentor was RESPONSIVE and SUPPORTIVE and the process was very clear. Anyone going through the process of becoming an IBCLC will appreciate finding clear direction with nurturing mentorship.
–Chere J., IBCLC, CCE

Utilizing the LER internship program, I was accepted to a local hospital's Mother/Baby Postpartum unit to shadow trained IBCLCs and complete many of the clinical hours required by Pathway 3. The internship experience was invaluable in providing hands-on experience working with parents and infants to meet their feeding goals, and extremely applicable to the information I was studying in preparation for the IBCLC exam.
–Stephanie W., BA, CBS

Utilizing the LER internship program, I was accepted to a local hospital's Mother/Baby Postpartum unit to shadow trained IBCLCs and complete many of the clinical hours required by Pathway 3. The internship experience was invaluable in providing hands-on experience working with parents and infants to meet their feeding goals, and extremely applicable to the information I was studying in preparation for the IBCLC exam.
–Stephanie W., BA, CBS
Obtaining a site for clinical hours was tricky in 2020, and without LER standing by my side while I waited for my clinical hours, I wouldn’t be where I am today ... I’m currently on track to become an IBCLC and plan to sit for my boards.
–Marley R., BSN, CBS

Obtaining a site for clinical hours was tricky in 2020, and without LER standing by my side while I waited for my clinical hours, I wouldn’t be where I am today ... I’m currently on track to become an IBCLC and plan to sit for my boards.
–Marley R., BSN, CBS
The mentors I have chosen provide client care in different settings and so I have been exposed to different cases, allowing me to take in a diverse learning experience.
–Keantae T. BSN

The mentors I have chosen provide client care in different settings and so I have been exposed to different cases, allowing me to take in a diverse learning experience.
–Keantae T. BSN
Since the beginning of my nursing career I always knew I had an interest in becoming an IBCLC. However, it felt like the process was too difficult – until I discovered the pathway 3 option through LER. I have almost completed my clinical training and hope to sit for the IBCLC exam next spring, a goal that a year ago I felt was impossible to achieve.
–Katie H., BSN, RN, PHN, CBS

Since the beginning of my nursing career I always knew I had an interest in becoming an IBCLC. However, it felt like the process was too difficult – until I discovered the pathway 3 option through LER. I have almost completed my clinical training and hope to sit for the IBCLC exam next spring, a goal that a year ago I felt was impossible to achieve.
–Katie H., BSN, RN, PHN, CBS
The LER Internship program runs like a well oiled machine. My mentor was RESPONSIVE and SUPPORTIVE and the process was very clear. Anyone going through the process of becoming an IBCLC will appreciate finding clear direction with nurturing mentorship.
–Chere J., IBCLC, CCE

The LER Internship program runs like a well oiled machine. My mentor was RESPONSIVE and SUPPORTIVE and the process was very clear. Anyone going through the process of becoming an IBCLC will appreciate finding clear direction with nurturing mentorship.
–Chere J., IBCLC, CCE

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Onsite Courses

Support and educate breastfeeding families throughout the normal course of breastfeeding.

Get convenient online training AND learn essential, hands-on skills.

Learn the essentials of supporting the normal course of lactation

Learn from experienced lactation providers and expert teachers

Considering becoming an IBCLC?

Convenient Hybrid Format

LER is trusted by more than 10,000 students and health care facilities around the globe.

Onsite Inpatient Breastfeeding Specialist

Course Topics

Course Objectives

Course Instructors

Become an IBCLC with an LER Lactation Internship