What does it really take to become an IBCLC?

People see the credential. They see the expertise and confidence.

But they rarely see the transformation behind the journey.

In this special IBCLC Day episode, registered nurse and IBCLC Leslie Owens shares the personal story behind her path to becoming an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and why she believes the future of lactation care cannot be gatekept.

Drawing inspiration from Maya Angelou’s words and her own experiences navigating the lactation profession, Leslie opens up about the hidden challenges aspiring lactation consultants often face including confusing pathways, lack of mentorship, and professional barriers.

She also shares why she created Lactation Consultant Launchpad, a mentorship program designed to help aspiring IBCLCs gain clinical hours, build confidence, and step into leadership in maternal and infant health.

If you have ever wondered:

• How do I become an IBCLC? • Where do aspiring lactation consultants get clinical hours? • Is mentorship necessary to succeed in the lactation field?

This episode will inspire you to begin your own transformation.

Because while gatekeeping may have shaped the past of this profession, mentorship will shape its future.

check out www.tinyurl.com/ibclcpath for our 4 episode podcast series Unlocking The IBCLC Path: A Secret Podcast for Birth Workers & Breastfeeding Advocates

Are RN IBCLCs less qualified… or just misunderstood?

After a spicyl post about hospital IBCLCs deserving an apology sparked debate, we’re talking about the growing RN vs. non RN tension inside the lactation field.

In this episode, we cover:

• The reality of hospital lactation support

• Why RN training strengthens IBCLC practice

• Clinical reasoning in breastfeeding care

• And how pathway shaming is damaging the profession

Whether you’re an aspiring IBCLC, a birth worker, or currently practicing in hospital or private practice settings, this conversation is about standards, collaboration, and protecting families.

If you’re exploring how to become an IBCLC and want clarity on the pathways, mentorship, and earning clinical hours without confusion, start here:

👉 www.tinyurl.com/ibclcpath

The future of lactation belongs to clinicians who can hold both compassion and complexity. Let’s build that.

Hospital IBCLCs are getting dragged.

“They didn’t help.” “They pushed formula.” “They missed the tie.” “They were in the room five minutes.”

But what if we’re blaming the wrong person?

In this episode, I’m calling out the growing frustration and misinformation surrounding hospital lactation consultants. We’re unpacking what a hospital IBCLC shift actually looks like, the structural constraints they work under, and why six-week breastfeeding struggles often get pinned on someone who had ten minutes inside a discharge timeline.

If you are a birth worker, nurse, private practice IBCLC, or aspiring lactation consultant, this is a needed mindset shift.

We’re talking about: • Hospital lactation consultant realities • Why early newborn physiology is different from a two-week visit • System pressures that families never see • The difference between individual care and structural barriers • And how to think critically instead of react emotionally

If you want to become an IBCLC who understands systems, settings, and power dynamics instead of just latch mechanics, this episode is for you.

Because the future of lactation leadership requires nuance.

Press play.

If you’re becoming an IBCLC and you think your only option is working in a hospital, we need to talk.

In this episode, I break down the real differences between working as a hospital lactation consultant and building a private lactation practice. I’m talking schedule control, income potential, autonomy, burnout, leadership, and what your day-to-day actually feels like.

This conversation is especially for nurses, doulas, and breastfeeding advocates who want more than just another job. If you’re exploring the IBCLC pathway and wondering what your future could really look like, this episode will challenge you to think bigger.

Thinking about becoming an IBCLC but feeling overwhelmed by pathways, hours, and “where do I even start”?

In this episode, I’m sharing exactly what I would do if I were starting the IBCLC journey today, knowing what I know now. I break down the first steps that actually matter, the mistakes I see people make all the time, and what you can stop stressing about for now.

If you’re curious about becoming an IBCLC but don’t want to spin your wheels, this episode will help you find clarity and move forward with confidence - without having it all figured out yet.

Wanna hear my secret podcast that spills the REAL Tea on getting started? You can listen at www.tinyurl.com/ibclcpath

In this episode of the Lactation Consultant Launchpad Podcast, Leslie shares a behind the scenes, full circle moment from her journey to becoming an IBCLC and building an international lactation consultant training program.

Recorded while traveling to the 2026 Birth Worker Retreat in Clearwater Beach, this candid episode reflects on growth, gratitude, and what it really looks like to build a business and career as a “baby CEO.” Leslie opens up about attending the same retreat just two years ago on an equity scholarship and returning this year as a speaker, educator, and founder of Lactation Consultant Launchpad.

You’ll hear:

• The real path of becoming an IBCLC beyond the highlight reel

• How investing in yourself can change the trajectory of your career

• What it feels like to build a grassroots program with global impact

• Why mentorship and access matter in the lactation profession

Today, Launchpad supports aspiring IBCLCs across the United States and internationally, including students in South Africa, Canada, and Pakistan, helping expand access to lactation education and mentorship worldwide.

This episode is a reminder that your starting point doesn’t define your destination and that becoming an IBCLC can open doors you never imagined.

🎧 Perfect for birth workers, doulas, nurses, breastfeeding advocates, and anyone exploring how to become an IBCLC.

🔗 Learn more about becoming an IBCLC and the Lactation Consultant Launchpad program at www.mothernurtureatl.com

📲 Follow Leslie on Instagram @mothernurtureatl for education, resources, and updates.

Thinking about becoming an IBCLC but feeling overwhelmed by conflicting information online? In this episode, I’m breaking down the top 3 myths aspiring IBCLCs Google the most and sharing what’s actually true in 2026.

We’re covering: • The myth that you must have a medical background to pursue IBCLC Pathway 1 • Why your 95 breastfeeding-specific education hours do not have to come from one expensive prepackaged course • The real career options for IBCLCs beyond hospital work

If you’re a doula, birth worker, nurse, or breastfeeding advocate wondering how to become an IBCLC, this episode will give you clarity, realistic expectations, and a clear next step without the confusion or gatekeeping.

🎧 This episode is sponsored by my free private podcast: If you’re serious about the IBCLC pathway but don’t know where to start, download my Secret Podcast for Aspiring IBCLCs, where I break down the pathways, timelines, costs, and common mistakes that keep people stuck.

👉 Download it here: www.tinyurl.com/ibclcpath

What if the thing holding you back from becoming an IBCLC isn’t a lack of education or discipline, but an identity shift you haven’t been given permission to make yet?

In this episode, Leslie talks about the hidden fears many aspiring IBCLCs carry, why preparation can become a form of self-protection, and how confidence actually develops over time.

We cover:

• Why over-preparing can keep you stuck

• Fear of failure vs fear of being seen as capable

• Why confidence comes after action

• The identity shift required to move forward ethically and sustainably

If you’ve been circling this path and wondering when you’ll finally feel ready, this episode is for you.