Counsel

Become a volunteer breastfeeding counselor

Nursing Mothers Counsel counselors are volunteers who go through extensive training to become skilled counselors.

Each member has

  • breastfed their baby for at least six months

  • received 20 hours of breastfeeding education

  • taken a comprehensive exam

  • completed reading requirements

  • attended an NMC breastfeeding community class

  • shadowed with a lactation consultant or participated in a home visit

  • counseled parents under the supervision of an advisor

New members serve a provisional period of six months, under the guidance of an experienced member who serves as an advisor/mentor. New members are often parents who receive assistance from NMC counselors and want to support other new parents so they, too, can have a successful and positive breastfeeding experience.

New member training is held every 1-2 years. If you are interested in joining the next training or have questions about becoming a counselor, please complete the form below, and our Membership Chair will be in touch. We always welcome professionals who want to help new families in a volunteer capacity and provide a shortened training pathway for IBCLCs.

Please note that for those interested in becoming IBCLCs, if you are following Pathway I, NMC does NOT provide hours of lactation-specific clinical practice in a supervised setting. If interested in becoming a CLE, NMC does not provide CLE certification. NMC has volunteer counselors who enjoy providing free lactation support to families so much that they have gone on to become IBCLCs!

upcoming Training

Our next training will be in Redwood City and the dates have not been determined but we are targeting Spring 2025.

Cost

$300 for NMC volunteers
$500 for professionals
Textbook included

Become an affiliate member

 If you are a professional (nurse, dietician, doula, etc.) who would like to receive NMC’s training to further your career goals, you can complete our training and become an Affiliate Member. You will not be an NMC breastfeeding counselor, but you will still receive our newsletter and continuing education opportunities. 

If you are interested in the training, please fill out the form, and let us know in the message that you are a professional.