Career Exploration Beyond the Bedside

June 1, 2025

Welcome to this month’s edition of The Nontraditional Nurse!

Today, we are talking all about Lactation Consulting.

The Nontraditional Nurse spotlight

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Tierra Owen, RN, IBCLC, MSHHP

“ ​ “It was the piece of not just guiding and telling and showing—it was the presencing piece. Just being there with this person through this intense journey and really connecting with them on a human, one-on-one level.” ​ — Tierra Owen

We’re honored to spotlight Tierra Owen, a labor and delivery nurse turned lactation consultant whose journey into this field has come full circle. What began with a peer support course and a job as a lactation tech before nursing school ultimately evolved into a fulfilling clinical role as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)—a position that brings nature, connection, and healing into every shift.

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Transcript available here​

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Key Takeaways

Lactation consulting is a natural extension of bedside skills.

Many nurses in labor and delivery or postpartum settings already provide foundational lactation support. Those experiences translate beautifully into full-time lactation work.

There are multiple paths to certification.

You don’t need to start from scratch—Tierra breaks down the three main paths to becoming an IBCLC, including education, mentorship, and clinical hour accumulation.

This role honors human pace—not "factory pace.

Unlike much of acute care, lactation consulting allows you to work on “baby time,” slowing down to meet families where they are and truly connect.

Your presence matters more than you know.

Tierra highlights that listening, validating, and holding space is often just as important as technical expertise when supporting new parents.

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Career Deep Dive

Lactation Consulting

Lactation consultants are specialists in infant feeding and maternal support. Nurses who pursue IBCLC certification are uniquely positioned to offer both clinical and emotional care during one of the most vulnerable postpartum periods.

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✔️ What they do:

• Provide individualized lactation support to families during and after hospital stays
• Educate patients on infant feeding techniques, pumping, and milk supply
• Assess latch, transfer, positioning, and troubleshoot feeding challenges
• Collaborate with pediatricians, OBs, and nurses to ensure whole-family care
• Advocate for patient-centered feeding plans—including formula when needed

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✔️ Perks

• Meaningful work – Supporting families during their earliest bonding moments
• Flexible career paths – Inpatient, outpatient, private practice, or virtual consults
• Autonomy – Many clinics allow scheduling input or support independent roles
• Global scope – The IBCLC certification is internationally recognized so location can be flexible, even internationally!
• Work-life balance – Set shifts and non-emergent care are common in this role

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⚠️ Challenges

• Certification hours can be complex – Logging clinical hours or finding a mentorship can take time and planning
• Emotional weight – Patients may experience guilt, grief, or shame; supporting them requires empathy and resilience
• Limited departments – Not every hospital has a lactation team; positions can be competitive
• Pace can still vary – Clinic census, appointments, and postpartum rounds all impact workload

Salary and Schedule Insights

Work Settings:

• Inpatient hospital units (L&D, postpartum)
• Outpatient breastfeeding clinics
• WIC or public health programs
• Telehealth lactation consults
• Private practice

Typical Schedule:

• Usually 8-hour shifts, often without overnights or weekends
• Some flexibility to trade shifts or work part-time
• Appointments typically allow for deeper, more focused interactions
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Salary Ranges:

• National Average: ~$75,000–$95,000
• Hospital-employed: ~$35–$45/hour
• Private consultants: ~$100+/session depending on location and expertise

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How to get started?

1. Visit the International Board of Certified Lactation Consultants website to explore certification routes:
   • ​Pathway 1: Recognised Health Professionals and Recognised Breastfeeding Support Counsellors​
   • ​Pathway 2: Accredited Lactation Academic Programmes​
   • ​Pathway 3: Mentorship with an IBCLC​
2. Take a Peer Support Course
   • Start small! Many community organizations offer short-term courses to explore lactation work before committing to certification.
3. Reach out to a local lactation consultant
   • Ask to shadow, observe a clinic day, or conduct an informational interview.
4. Join La Leche League or Nursing Mothers Council
   • These organizations offer community support and can help build your network or fulfill volunteer hours.
5. Connect with the IBCLC community on LinkedIn
   • Many lactation consultants love mentoring and are happy to answer questions.
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Whether you’re passionate about maternal health or simply craving a career with slower pace and deeper connection, lactation consulting might be the nontraditional path you’ve been looking for.
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Your laughter injection. ​

How do lactation consultants stay so calm? ​ They’ve mastered the art of going with the flow. ​

Thanks for reading!​
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Thanks for reading — we hope Tierra’s story inspires you to explore new ways to support mothers and make a lasting impact beyond the bedside.

Until next time,

Ellie & The Nontraditional Nurse Team

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