Counsel

Become a volunteer lactation counselor

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

Each member has

  • nursed their baby for at least six months

  • received 20 hours of lactation education

  • taken a comprehensive exam

  • completed reading requirements

  • attended an NMC lactation class given in the community

  • 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 nursing experience.

NMC expects that after we invest the effort in training and mentoring our volunteers, that they would volunteer the 15-30 hours per year for 2-3 years.  We do understand when life’s circumstances  change and a member needs to step back from counseling but hopefully our volunteers enjoy the rewards of helping others so much that they continue with NMC for a long time.  Some of our members have been involved for over 35 years!

New member training is held every 1-2 years, usually in Spring. 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 lactation professionals who want to help new families in a volunteer capacity.

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

NMC conducts training every 1-2 years, usually in Spring. We just completed a training at end of May 2025 so next training will possibly occur in Spring 2026 depending on interest. Fill out the form below to get more information on the upcoming training.

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.