This mentorship is designed for students who are committed, prepared, and ready to engage deeply in the realities of lactation care. It is NOT an introductory or exploratory program, but a hands-on professional mentorship. To ensure a meaningful, professional and educational mentorship experience, all applicants must meet the following requirements:

Education and Certification Pathway

·         Must have completed all 14 health science college courses required for the IBCLC certification or be able to provide proof that you are actively completing the final requirements.

·         Must have started or have a clear plan to begin the 95-hour Lactation Education course required to become a breastfeeding specialist (proof of enrollment or start date required).

Commitment & Professional Readiness

·         Must demonstrate serious intent to pursue lactation work (IBCLC or breastfeeding specialist pathway).

·         Must be willing to actively participate, ask questions, reflect, and engage in hands-on learning.

·         Must be open to feedback, guidance, and mentorship in both clinical and client centered settings.

Transportation & Travel

·         Must have reliable personal transportation

·         Must be comfortable traveling to clients’ homes, as mentorship includes in-home lactation visits.

Professional, Legal & Safety Requirement

·         Completion and signing of: HIPAA Compliance Agreement, Mentorship Contract, Confidentiality Agreement.

·         Successful completion of: criminal background check and drug screening

·         Proof of completion of: Child Abuse Identification & Reporting Course, Basic Life Support (BLS/CPR) Certification

·         Willingness to comply with any additional agency, insurance or client safety requirements as applicable.

Students are responsible for obtaining and maintaining required certifications and clearances unless otherwise specified.

Community & Continuing Education

·         Must be able to attend monthly breastfeeding cafes (in person) as part of observational and community-based learning.

·         Must commit to regular mentorship hours as agreed upon in advance.

Professional Conduct, Ethics & Values

·         Must maintain client confidentiality and uphold ethical standards consistent with lactation care.

·         Must present in a professional, respectful, and compassionate manner when interacting with families.

·         Must be willing to sign any required confidentiality or mentorship agreements.

Values & Alignment

·         Genuine passion for supporting breastfeeding families without judgement.

·         Alignment with trauma-informed, emotionally attuned care.

·         Respect for diversity in feeding choices, family structures, and lived experiences.

Availability & Consistency

·         Ability to commit to a minimum of mentorship duration (3-6 months).

·         Reliable communication and punctuality.

Self-Awareness & Emotional Readiness

·         Willingness to reflect on personal triggers, boundaries and growth edges.

·         Ability to hold space for emotionally vulnerable families.

(This is especially important in lactation work and often overlooked)

What I Offer as a Mentor

This mentorship is designed to support students who are ready to step into the realities of lactation care-both clinically and emotionally.

As your mentor I offer:

Hands on, real world exposure to in-home lactation visits, community breastfeeding cafes, and private practice care.

Clinical reasoning support, not just “what to do” but why decisions are made in complex lactation situations.

Guidance on: Supporting families with compassion, confidence and professionalism.

Navigating emotionally charged postpartum experiences.

Maintaining boundaries and preventing burnout.

Insight into the day-to-day realities of private practice, including client communication, professional ethics and less visible emotional labor of this work.

A supportive, trauma-informed learning environment where questions, reflection and growth are encouraged.

What This Mentorship Is Not:

A passive observation-only experience.

A shortcut to certification

A one-size-fits-all program.

This mentorship requires presence, accountability, and openness. This mentorship is intended for serious applicants who are prepared to commit to a professional, hands-on learning experience towards board certification. As this is a very selective mentorship program, only applicants who are aligned with the requirements and expectations will be considered.