You’ve been racking up hours of lactation education, and now you’ve found yourself sitting at around 45 hours of lactation training. Maybe you’ve become a counselor, but why stop there? You’re halfway to IBCLC®. There are many reasons to complete the additional 45 hours of lactation training, but here are five that should motivate you to keep going!
1. You’re halfway there!
Maybe you’ve earned 40 or 45 or 50 hours from a course you took two or three years ago. When you think about getting an additional 45 hours of lactation training, consider this: You’re already about half-way there!
If you’re already working as a counselor, getting an additional certification will give you more professional credibility, and possibly more job opportunities.
2. It will never get any easier
I deliberated about some major decisions in my life: undergoing sinus surgery, obtaining an advanced degree, and more.
One day I realized: The requirements for graduate school will never be any easier, the fee will never be any smaller, the postoperative pain will never be any less intense, … yeah, might as well just tackle it now.
The same is true as you consider earning an additional 45 hours of lactation training to get your IBCLC certification. In fact, the pain might get worse!
Over the years, I’ve seen IBLCE increase the application fee many times. The requirements to sit for the exam have also increased over the years. There is no time like the present!
3. It provides more opportunities
If you’re thinking that you’re happy working as a counselor or educator, take a look at what the U.S. Lactation Consultant Association says about the various lactation support levels.
Wouldn’t it feel great to be at the top of the list?
While there are never guarantees, getting the additional 45 hours of lactation training and getting your IBCLC can mean job security. It might even give you the flexibility to move on to another location, get another role, or even start your own private practice.
4. It makes no sense to procrastinate until you “feel like it”
Maybe you’ve thought, “Oh, I’ll get my additional 45 hours of lactation training (later, next year, sometime) but I don’t feel like doing it right now.” Think again.
In his book, psychologist Timothy Pychyl cites research to show that attitudes follow behaviors. He says, “When you start to act on your intention as intended, you will see your attitude and motivation change.”
I have much more to say on how to stop procrastinating and get going!
5. It might be easier than you think to complete an additional 45 hours of lactation training
Okay, so it’s not completely easy. But we can help you streamline your efforts to get your additional 45 hours of lactation training in one all-online package.
Our Step Up to Lactation Leadership program is offers 45 hours of material that you probably haven’t encountered before. Have questions about our 45-hour course? We have answers!
What first steps do you need to take in order to get your additional 45 hours of lactation training?