Foundations of Lactation Education
RMED-40040
Become a Lactation Education Counselor with this comprehensive, flexible, online 45-hour course. Perfect for healthcare professionals or anyone interested in supporting breastfeeding families.
What you'll learn
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Breastfeeding basics: anatomy, physiology, latch, positioning
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Strategies to assist and encourage breastfeeding triad of mother, baby, and support person
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Early infant attachment and hospital care
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Postpartum support, common challenges and solutions
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Breast pumps and breastfeeding tools
How It Works:
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Fully online, no set login times, self-paced with assignments/quizzes due weekly
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Weekly modules: 4–5 hours of video + 2–3 hours of readings/assignments
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Work ahead at your own pace
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Optional monthly live online office hours with your instructor
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Receive an Award of Completion and qualify to work as an Lactation Education Counselor
- Fulfills the Lactation Consultant Pathway 2 prerequisite
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. Please see the Lactation Education Counselor Program.
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.
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: 7/4/2025
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.
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: 10/3/2025
Note:
Schedule:
Instructor:
Margaret Saltysiak, MPH, BS, IBCLC
Pronouns: she/her
