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State Sponsored Lactation Education Courses 2023
State WIC program offers these courses at no cost for WIC staff to increase their knowledge of various lactation topics. These courses count towards the annual required continuing education hours for WIC staff.
Note: Courses have limited seating. Please register promptly to ensure availability.
Registration Form for State Sponsored Lactation Education Courses 2023
Click the title in the table below to view more detailed information about the course.
| Title (Trainer) | Dates | Time | Seats | Continuing Education | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motivational Interviewing for WIC Peer Counselors (LactaLearning) |
May 3
July 25 |
8:00 AM-4:15 PM
8:00 AM-4:15 PM |
35
20 |
10 L-CERPs | WIC Peer Counselors |
| Advanced Peer Counselor Day (LEC) |
May 24
July 10 July 19 |
9:00 AM-4:00 PM
9:00 AM-4:00 PM 8:00 AM-3:00 PM |
10
35 10 |
6 L-CERPs | WIC Peer Counselors |
| Exclusive Pumping Course (IABLE) |
May 24
July 11 August 21 |
8:30 AM-2:15 PM
8:30 AM-2:15 PM 8:30 AM-2:15 PM |
40
40 35 |
4.5 CME and CERPS | Any WIC Breastfeeding Staff |
| Expanding Horizons (IABLE) |
April 14
July 21 |
8:30 AM-4:00 PM
8:30 AM-4:00 PM |
45
50 |
6 CMEs and 6 CERPs | Any WIC Breastfeeding Staff |
| Certified Lactation Specialist |
May 17, 18, 19 + 22, 23
August 9, 10, 11 + 14, 15 August 23, 24, 25 + 28, 29 |
8:00 AM-5:30 PM
7:00 AM-4:30 PM 8:00 AM-5:30 PM |
20
20 20 |
44 L-CERPs, 1 E-CERP, 5 C-CERPs | Breastfeeding Staff Who've Completed the WIC Breastfeeding Curriculum |
| L.O.V.E. in the Margin: DEI Lactation Training (LactaLearning) |
May 11
June 29 |
8:00 AM-4:45 PM
8:00 AM-4:45 PM |
30
30 |
5 E-CERPs and 5 L-CERPs | Any WIC Breastfeeding Staff |
| Certification Cram Review Course (LEC) |
Feb. 28 + March 1
September 7, 8 |
7:00 AM-4:30 PM
8:00 AM-5:30 PM |
5
15 |
15.5 L-CERPs + 1 E-CERP | WIC Breastfeeding Staff Planning to Take the IBCLC Exam |
Motivational Interviewing for WIC Peer Counselors
Description: Pre-Course Work: 1.5 hours both before and after the live virtual training- 3 hours total. This course will provide WIC Peer Counselors with the communication skills they need to better help breastfeeding families. Peers will practice using motivational interviewing skills with common scenarios seen in the clinic. This hybrid training combines the convenience of individual, online learning with a community of peers during a live, virtual training. Participants will need a computer (phones don’t work well for this type of training).
Learning Goals:
- Define the principles of Motivational Interviewing, open-ended questions, affirmations, reflective listening, and summaries.
- Implement the elements of MI during practice sessions throughout the course and later apply these skills when working with their clients.
- Demonstrate the ability to share appropriate information with a client and help the client create a three-day care plan.
- Utilize the “readiness ruler” when working with their clients.
- Create a case study using Motivational Interviewing when helping a breastfeeding parent, while collecting their health history and doing physical assessments.
Presenters: LactaLearning
- Barbara Robertson, MA, IBCLC
- Jessica Beemsterboer, MEd, IBCLC
Dates (choose one):
- May 3, 8:00 AM - 4:15 PM CST, Seats: 35
- July 25, 8:00 AM - 4:15 PM CST, Seats: 20
* The deadline for registration 30 days before the training begins.
Continuing Education: 10 L-CERPS. Participants must complete 1.5 hours of pre-work, attend the live, virtual one-day training, complete an additional 1.5 hours of post-work, and take a final quiz to receive CERPS.
Eligibility Information: This training is specifically for WIC Peer Counselors, with any level of experience. Peer Counselor Coordinators/IBCLCs are welcome to attend, but priority will be given to peers.
Advanced Peer Counselor Day
Description: This course is taught virtually and is designed for the peer counselor who wishes to update and expand their knowledge to support the breastfeeding dyad. Case studies are offered using videos and photographs of breastfeeding parents and babies. Discussions include when and how to refer, how to counsel in difficult situations, when participants "share too much", how to prevent burnout, visual clues to watch for when counseling and how to determine the problem, while staying within the peer counselor’s scope of practice.
Learning Goals:
- Identify methods to address lactation concerns using Loving Support Counseling techniques.
- Describe positioning techniques to resolve normal breastfeeding concerns.
- Describe visual indicators of lactation concerns.
- Explain methods to support WIC breastfeeding families in difficult situations.
- Identify techniques for counseling in situations when participants include non-lactation problems.
- Describe positioning techniques to resolve normal breastfeeding concerns.
- Identify appropriate referral of lactation problems to Level 3 or Level 4 breastfeeding staff.
Presenters: Lactation Education Consultants
- Stephanie Hutchinson, BA, MBA, IBCLC
- Carole Peterson, MS, IBCLC
- Mendy Roudebush, RD, IBCLC
Dates (Choose one):
- May 24, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM CST, Seats: 10
- July 10, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM CST, Seats: 35
- July 19, 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM CST, Seats: 10
*The deadline for registration is 30 days before the training begins.
Continuing Education: 6 L-CERPS
Eligibility Information: The training is for WIC peer counselors. It is recommended that peers have worked for WIC for at least 2 years and have completed all other required trainings.
Contact Carrie Klun, carrie.klun@state.mn.us with any questions.
Exclusive Pumping Course
Description: Exclusive Pumping is a 4-session (one day) course that focuses on the care of individuals who largely rely on pumping for milk removal during lactation. Exclusive pumping is often associated with a different set of challenges compared to direct feeding, and the sessions will address strategies to help individuals with the most common questions and problems that arise from exclusive pumping.
Learning Goals:
- Describe the basic features of all pumps
- Identify how to use common pumps that lactating parents are using at home
- Identify risk factors for low milk production
- Explain evaluation for low production
- Describe interventions to help improve low milk production
- Identify risks of hyperlactation for lactating parents who are pump dependent.
- Discuss strategies to reduce milk production
- Identify reasons for breast and nipple pain during lactation
- Describe evaluation and treatment of mastitis and abscesses
Presenters: IABLE
- Anne Eglash, MD, IBCLC, FABM
Dates (Choose one):
- May 24, 8:30 AM - 2:15 PM CST, Seats: 40
- July 11, 8:30 AM - 2:15 PM CST, Seats: 40
- August 21, 8:30 AM - 2:15 PM CST, Seats: 35
*The deadline for registration is 30 days before the training begins.
Continuing Education: 4.5 CME and 4.5 CERPs
Attendees earn educational credits through any combination of live participation and/or viewing the recordings and completing the evaluation. Recordings will be available through September 2023.
Eligibility Information: This one-day advanced lactation training is for Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4 WIC breastfeeding staff.
Expanding Horizons
Description: Expanding Horizons is an all-day course that builds on basic breastfeeding and lactation knowledge. The instructors use polls and case discussions to engage learners on a variety of topics that are familiar to anyone who counsels breastfeeding and lactating dyads.
Learning Goals:
- Express knowledge regarding the top 10 clinically relevant research findings from 2022
- Discuss ways to counsel and prepare pregnant individuals who have a history of low milk production
- Identify the impact of postpartum mood disorders on breastfeeding and lactation
- Describe strategies to support Black breastfeeding families
- Explain to families when and why galactogogues may or may not be helpful to increase milk production
- Identify underlying reasons for nipple and breast pain and describe strategies to help
Presenters: IABLE
- Jo Ann Allen, RN, BSN, IBCLC
- Anne Eglash, MD, IBCLC, FABM
- Katrina Mitchell, MD, IBCLC
Dates (Choose one):
- April 14, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM CST, Seats: 45
- July 21, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM CST, Seats: 50
*The deadline for registration is 30 days before the training begins.
Continuing Education: This course provides 6 CMEs and 6 CERPs.
Attendees earn educational credits through any combination of live participation and/or viewing the recordings and completing the evaluation. Recordings will be available through September 2023.
Eligibility Information: This one-day advanced lactation training is for Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4 WIC breastfeeding staff. For Level 2 staff, it is recommended that peers have worked for WIC for at least 2 years.
Certified Lactation Specialist
Description: Pre-work: 2.5 hours pre-course work & study time for the exam that must be completed before the live, virtual, 5-day training. The Certified Lactation Specialist Course is designed for all staff interested in improving their skills in working with the breastfeeding dyad. All content included on the IBLCE topical outline are covered. Participants will be taught how to use appropriate counseling skills, how to teach parents and families, and most importantly, how to function hands-on as a clinician. This course is taught virtually with 3 instructors via didactic information as well as discussion, videos, and visual examples of lactation problems. Certification as a lactation specialist (CLS) is achieved through attendance at the entire course, completion of assigned homework and passing the end of course exam. on the last day.
Learning Goals:
- Describe normal and abnormal breast development and the effect on lactation
- Identify components of human milk
- Describe infant conditions impacting normal lactation
- Identify contraindications to breastfeeding
- Define effective milk transfer including medically indicated supplementation
Presenters: Three instructors from Lactation Education Consultants
Dates (Choose one):
- May 17, 18, 19 + 22, 23, 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM CST, Seats: 20
- August 9, 10, 11+ 14, 15, 7:00 AM - 4:30 PM CST, Seats: 20
- August 23, 24, 25 + 28, 29, 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM CST, Seats: 20
*The deadline for registration is 30 days before the start of the course.
Continuing Education: 45 L-CERPS, 1 E-CERP, 5 C-CERPS
An additional 5 Counseling L-CERPS are online, if requested, to meet the IBLCE requirement to sit for their exam.
Eligibility Information: This 45-hour advanced lactation training is for Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4 breastfeeding staff (peer counselors, CPAs, DBEs) who want to deepen their breastfeeding knowledge.
It is expected that participants will have a clear understanding of all Level 2 topics. Therefore, it is highly recommended that participants have attended the WIC Breastfeeding Curriculum.
Note: Peer counselors are allowed to take this training. However, please ensure that the PC has 2 years of local agency experience.
Resources: Participants will be mailed a printed 600-page binder that includes all PowerPoint slides. Materials for the pre-course homework assignments will be provided upon registration. The link to the end of the course exam will be provided to participants during the course.
Note: Be sure to provide your HOME mailing address if staff is working from home to assure timely delivery of materials.
L.O.V.E. in the Margin: DEI Lactation Training
(Previously titled Improving Equity and Inclusion for the Field of Lactation)
Description: This 7.5-hour live, virtual training, combined with 2.5 hours of individual work, will create a deeper understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the lactation space. This interactive training will teach the attendees how to approach, navigate, and respond to individuals from various cultural backgrounds within the WIC environment. Participants will be invited into a healing space by learning from culturally intelligent presenters from different racial and ethnic groups. Attendees will be given time to examine their own experiences and will receive practical tools on how to offer quality lactation care to all people.
Participants will need a computer (phones don’t work well for this type of training).
Learning Goals:
- Explain the difference between equity, equality, diversity, and inclusion and why these components matter in the WIC environment.
- Implement practical steps to navigate a multicultural atmosphere to provide informed lactation support and encourage collaboration.
- Have a deeper understanding of Black history & Indigenous history as it relates to chest/breastfeeding.
- Identify the current disparity and barriers in chest/breastfeeding rates in marginalized communities.
- List what is currently working in lactation rates and the community’s role in supporting the initiation and duration of chest/breastfeeding for communities of color.
- Analyze and increase their awareness of their own unconscious bias.
- Define what role they play in creating an equitable and inclusive infant feeding environment and respond to the unique needs of marginalized people.
Presenters: LactaLearning
- Christine Stancle, CLC
- Chase Stancle, BA
- Raeanne Madison, MPH
- Erica McLoed, IBCLC
- Dr. Gaynel Nave, NMD
Dates (Choose one):
- May 11, 8:00 AM - 4:45 PM CST, Seats: 30
- June 29, 8:00 AM - 4:45 PM CST, Seats: 30
* The deadline for registration is 30 days before the start of the course.
Continuing Education: 5 E-CERPS and 5 L-CERPS = 10 total CERPS
Eligibility Information: This one-day advanced lactation training is for Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4 WIC breastfeeding staff.
Certification Cram Review Course
Description: This training covers the entire IBLCE exam grid, brings participants up to date on the newest information and research in lactation. This intensive, evidence-based cram course is designed as a review for practitioners preparing to take the IBCLC exam for initial or re-certification.
Learning Goals:
- Describe the process of milk synthesis.
- State how deviations in infant anatomy can impact breastfeeding.
- List elements to be considered in critiquing research.
- Discuss elements of pharmacokinetics that impact transfer of drugs into human milk.
- List study strategies in preparing for the IBLCE exam.
- Identify various conditions in the slide review.
Presenters: Lactation Education Consultants training staff who are all required to have been an IBCLC for over 5 years, and therefore, have recertified at least once.
- Rhonda Wudtke, RN, IBCLC
- Sarah Wall, RN, IBCLC, ICCE
- Dawn Kersula, MA, RN, LCCE, FACCE, IBCLC
- Mendy Roudebush, BS, RD, IBCLC
Dates (Choose one):
- February 28 + March 1, 7:00 AM - 4:30 PM CST, Seats: 5
For staff planning to take the IBLCE exam March 8 – March 17, 2023 - September 7 + 8, 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM CST, Seats: 15
For staff planning to take the IBLCE exam September 20 – September 25, 2023
* The deadline for registration is 30 days before the start of the course.
Continuing Education: 15.5 L-CERPS + 1 E-CERP = 16.5 CERPS total, and 16 Nursing contact hours provided by Lactation Education Consultants upon completion of the course.
Eligibility Information: The training is for WIC breastfeeding staff preparing to take their initial (or recertification) IBCLC exam. You must be planning to take the exam in order to register for this course.
Resources: Once registered, all participants will be mailed a spiral bound book with all handouts plus information for further study. The course will also include a link to a practice exam on the second day of the program. If participants want to take additional practice exams, they can purchase an optional exam practice book.
Note: Be sure to provide your HOME mailing address if staff is working from home to assure timely delivery of materials.
Contact Rosie Pierce-Martin, Rosie.Pierce-Martin@state.mn.us with any questions.