Certified Lactation Counselor

In little over two weeks, I will attend a week long training in an attempt to earn my Certified Lactation Counselor certification (there is a big test at the end). The Healthy Children's Center for Breastfeeding offers this 5 day workshop to train CLCs to help women achieve success with breastfeeding. They offer these training all over the country and last year the closest one to where I live was offered over 4 hours away. But this year, they are offering this class in my hometown of Chambersburg, PA (Listed as Gettysburg but the conference is actually in Chambersburg). The hotel where it will be held is 10 minutes away from my parents' house. I can't believe it! I have a place to stay and I know the town so well. I am very excited and thrilled that it is so close.

I am pretty passionate about breastfeeding. Besides having almost an unlimited number of benefits for mother and baby, breastfeeding is something that can be very empowering or discouraging for women. When we adopted our first son, I put my body under a lactation protocol and tried to breastfeed. I realize now that I didn't set myself up for success. I was embarrassed that it didn't happen naturally and I didn't get the help I needed. I read tons on adoptive breastfeeding, but not one book on the art of breastfeeding. I was defeated and sad. I didn't even attempt to breastfeed my second son. I never want another women to feel like that. I want to help women have success and feel empowered in their breastfeeding expereince.

So, wish me luck in getting my CLC. I hope it will bless other women. Even if I can help one mom, it will be worth it!