Lactation University Offers a 95+ Hour IBCLC Prep Course Online!

​Certified Lactation Professional (CLP) awarded for successfully completing the course
​Become a Certified Lactation Professional™ (CLP) by successfully completing Lactation University's IBCLC Prep Course. LU has developed a unique, hybrid lactation course that prepares students to sit for and pass the IBLCE Exam. Our advanced training not only covers every required discipline, but also serves to guide individuals to become a successful community, hospital or private practice Lactation Consultant.

Lactation University's CLP Program meets the lactation-specific education  required to pursue Pathways 1 and 3 to become an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).

Registered students who complete the first 3 Modules can apply to be a Lactation University Volunteer (LUVS) and begin earning the required clinical hours. ​
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Tuition and Investment
Registration: $1275 or 3 payments of $440 (Early Bird. Regular Rate $1,400)
​​Required Text: Breastfeeding and Human Lactation, 7th Edition
Required Resource: The Breastfeeding Atlas 7th Edition
Recommended Text: Counseling the Nursing Mother 6th Edition
​ 
Purchase your textbooks at 30% off from Jones & Barlett Learning ​
Our program is more than a prep course—it’s a comprehensive academic experience. The curriculum includes guest lectures, book reviews, photo assessments, charting examples, policy reviews, case studies, and more. It provides a cohesive review of the IBLCE Blueprint, reinforced by supplemental talks and interviews. Lactation University creates an engaging, rigorous learning environment that equips students with knowledge and connects them to leaders shaping the future of lactation consulting.

Why Attend Lactation University's IBCLC Prep Program

  1. Virtual classes that can be attended from anywhere in the world
  2. Hybrid course that enables interaction and group learning. Students meet live with classmates and instructor bi-weekly and complete additional requirements through self-study
  3. Homework assignments that enhance the learning experience and develop additional skills and critical thinking
  4. Bi-weekly quizzes and reading questions that allow for additional learning and self-evaluation
  5. Covers all aspects of the IBLCE Blueprint and offers additional learning opportunities evaluating pictures, answering test questions, charting and much more
  6. Endorsed by Lactation Education Accreditation and Approval Review Committee (LEAARC), which is the leader in establishing standards and guidance in lactation education
  7. Primary faculty with over 25 years of teaching experience, a degree in Communication and creator of an IBCLC Prep Couse with one of the highest passing rates (page 11)
  8. Supplemental lectures and advice from 20 practicing IBCLCs, MDs, DDS, RNs, and perinatal experts
  9. 96 Continuing Educational Hours for RNs (additional $20 application and submission fee for the nursing board)
  10. Trademarked distinction: Certified Lactation Professional (CLP) awarded for successfully completing the course
  11. A clear path to gain clinical hours as a Lactation University Volunteer through an approved breastfeeding counselor program from IBLCE. Learn more about earning clinical hours through the LUVS Program.
At Lactation University our goal is to support and develop the next generation of IBCLCs. We are preparing students to excel in a profession not just pass a test. Find answers to our commonly asked questions on our FAQ Page.

Meet Our Dynamic Contributors

Our professional contributors are deeply committed to education and generously share their research, expertise, and clinical insights with aspiring IBCLCs. Each 4-hour live session is led by our core faculty, ensuring continuity and comprehensive coverage of the IBLCE Blueprint. Guest experts then provide in-depth exploration of specialized topics in which they have extensive experience. This unique structure introduces students to some of the most respected lactation leaders and educators in the field—offering both foundational knowledge and advanced learning from the best in the profession.

January 2026 Course Schedule - Registration Now Open

Below is our tentative schedule for our January LU Course. Live sessions will be every two weeks. 
​IBLCE Application Date for 2026 Exams: 4 to 5 months prior to Exam Dates
Exam Dates Mid-September, 2026 IBLCE
Thursday Schedule
9:00AM-1:00PM, PST
Module 1A: January 29
Module 2A: February 12
Module 3A: February 26
Module 4A: March 12
Module 5A: March 26
​Module 6A: April 9
Module 7A: April 23
Module 8A: May 7
Module 9A: May 21
Module 10A: June 4
Module 11A: June 18
​Module 12A: July 2
** If any schedule modification is required, students will be notified
​Each 8-hour module has 4 hours of in-person instruction every other week, and a minimum of 4 hours of recorded presentations and coursework. Classes consist of lectures, discussions, quizzes, exams, videos, activities, projects, picture reviews, homework and reading assignments. In addition to regular weekly assignments, students will be responsible for three projects.
Project 1: Research Paper
Project 2: Book Review
Project 3: Breastfeeding Conference
Course completion results in 96 hours of lactation-specific education.
Below is a sample, tentative agenda for Module 1. Each Module has the same categories. Registered students will receive the complete syllabus with additional class information.
*Endorsement by IBLCE not implied
Module 1
September 24 & 26
​Education & Communication
IBLCE Blueprint
1. Active listening**
2. Anticipatory guidance** (later)
3. Care plan development and sharing**
4. Educating mothers and families**
5. Educating professionals, peers, and students (research project)
6. Emotional support**
7. Empowerment**
8. Group support
**recorded Webinar Part II
​Guest Lecture:
Christy Jo Hendricks
​Communication for the Lactation Professional​
​​Application Worksheets:
Motivational Interviewing Activities 1-5
​Discussion Topic: 
What should be included in
​a client's care plan?
How to evaluate photos
https://ibclcprep.com/ibclc-exam-pictures/
Breastfeeding Atlas pp. 1-9
Breastfeeding and Human Lactation photos
​Group Project:
What makes a great Breastfeeding Awareness Campaign or Lactation Conference
​HW: 
Add one new resource to the first 5 prenatal breastfeeding classes provided
​Required Reading:
B&H Ch 22; pp. 713-734
Required Reading (30 min):   B&H Ch 22 (pp. 713-734)

1. In which year did USBC develop Core Competencies for HCP?
a. 2009    b. 2010    c. 2011 
2. Which organization was created to ensure consistency among breastfeeding and human lactation education programs?
a. IBCLC    b. UCLA    c. LEEARC 
3. How many health science subjects are required to sit the IBLCE exam?
a. 90    b. 14    c. 8 
4. What is one recommended topic for a late pregnancy breastfeeding class?
a. labor and birth practices    b. cons and pros of formula feeding
c. mother-to-mother support groups 
5. The modalities of learning expressed by Lauwers and Shinski include
a. visual, oral and tactile    b. auditory, kinesthetic and psychological    c. visual, auditory and kinesthetic 
 
Suggested Reading: Counseling the Nursing Mother Ch 4, 5 & 6
​​Heads up: 
Student Presentations begin Module 6
Select book for the Book Review
Additional module information only available to registered students. Enroll to receive the Class Syllabus, and begin your journey to become proficient in lactation consulting.
Future Classes
If you are not ready to register, but want to join the email list, sign up below.
​​Each class is limited to 30 students. Sessions typically run January - July and September - February
​Early Bird Registration closes two months before course start date.
Regular Registration Rates will close 2 weeks before start, or when the course fills.  

    LU IBCLC Prep Course Interest