Foundations of Lactation Education
RMED-40040
Foundations of Lactation Education Course Description
This comprehensive 45-hour course prepares health professionals and other interested individuals to become lactation educators. It furnishes the basic information necessary to promote breastfeeding and to interact in the breastfeeding situation by assisting and encouraging the breastfeeding triad of mother, baby, and support person. Topics include basic anatomy and physiology of lactation, early attachment of the baby, hospital care, support during the postpartum stage, common concerns and solutions, and appliances and apparatuses used in breastfeeding. At completion of the course students are "Lactation Educators".
The lectures are recorded, so no need to log in at a specific time, however assignments and quizzes are due weekly. The prerecorded lectures are four to five hours per week in addition to two to three hours of reading and assignments. The course takes approximately six to eight hours per week to complete and you are able to work ahead. Once a month, the instructor will have optional Zoom office hours and will answer questions and/or cover a relevant case study or topic. Students who successfully complete the course receive an award of completion.
If you intend to take the Certified Lactation Counselor exam through the Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice, this course does not meet the 95 hours of education requirement. The new online 95 hour, asynchronous Lactation Education Counselor Certificate is intended for health professionals and other interested individuals to take the Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) Exam through the Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice’s Aggregate Pathway.
The textbook for this class:
Core Curriculum for Interdisciplinary Lactation Care 2nd
by Spencer, Campbell, Chamberlain
ISBN / ASIN: 9781284255515
You may purchase textbooks via the UC San Diego Bookstore.
Canvas, our online learning platform, is not compatible with smart phones or tablet devices. We recommend students plan to use a laptop or desktop for our courses.
The 20 hour online, asynchronous Lactation Education Refresher course is intended for students to take three years after the Foundations of Lactation Education has been completed.
What you'll learn
The lectures are recorded, so no need to log in at a specific time, however assignments and quizzes are due weekly. The prerecorded lectures are four to five hours per week in addition to two to three hours of reading and assignments. The course takes approximately six to eight hours per week to complete and you are able to work ahead. Once a month, the instructor will have optional Zoom office hours and will answer questions and/or cover a relevant case study or topic. Students who successfully complete the course receive an award of completion.
If you intend to take the Certified Lactation Counselor exam through the Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice, this course does not meet the 95 hours of education requirement.
Canvas, our online learning platform, is not compatible with smart phones or tablet devices. We recommend students plan to use a laptop or desktop for our courses.
The textbook for this class:
Core Curriculum for Interdisciplinary Lactation Care 2nd
by Spencer, Campbell, Chamberlain
ISBN / ASIN: 9781284255515
You may purchase textbooks via the UC San Diego Bookstore.
Course Information
Course sessions
Section ID:
Class type:
This course is entirely web-based and to be completed asynchronously between the published course start and end dates. Synchronous attendance is NOT required.
You will have access to your online course on the published start date OR 1 business day after your enrollment is confirmed if you enroll on or after the published start date.
Textbooks:
Core Curriculum for Interdisciplinary Lactation Care 2nd
by Spencer, Campbell, Chamberlain
ISBN / ASIN: 9781284255515
You may purchase textbooks via the UC San Diego Bookstore.
Policies:
- No refunds after: 1/16/2026
Note:
Schedule:
Instructor:
Alexandra Barrera, RN, DNP, IBCLC
Allie feels passionate about serving high risk populations and believes that everyone should have access to excellent care, especially in lactation! She is a mom to three boys who have all influenced her practice in different ways. She loves learning new things, advancing her education, and is currently pursuing her Doctor of Nursing Practice where she hopes to focus on improving perinatal outcomes for women with a history of trauma.
Section ID:
Class type:
This course is entirely web-based and to be completed asynchronously between the published course start and end dates. Synchronous attendance is NOT required.
You will have access to your online course on the published start date OR 1 business day after your enrollment is confirmed if you enroll on or after the published start date.
Textbooks:
Core Curriculum for Interdisciplinary Lactation Care 2nd
by Spencer, Campbell, Chamberlain
ISBN / ASIN: 9781284255515
You may purchase textbooks via the UC San Diego Bookstore.
Policies:
- No refunds after: 4/3/2026
Note:
Schedule:
Instructor:
Jennifer Gathman, MSN, FNP-C, IBCLC, PMH-C
Jennifer gained clinical experiences at Sharp Mary Birch and Kaiser Permanente before ultimately opening her own private practice for lactation and infant feeding. She is also the owner of a prenatal and postpartum wellness center and the founder of a non-profit organization to help make lactation and postpartum services more accessible to new families.
Jennifer has her Masters of Science in Nursing Education and is passionate about educating the next generation of lactation students. She loves to continue her own education to ensure she is up to date on the latest evidence based care and support. She specializes in all types of lactation challenges from simple to complex cases, tongue ties, supply challenges, and more. Jennifer is excited to teach for UC San Diego Extended Studies and looks forward to supporting you on your educational journey.