You’ve come too far to be held back by admin headaches and technical details.
As an Infant Feeding Counselor® with your 95 hours of education behind you, you’re so close to becoming an IBCLC like you’ve always dreamed of.
It might even feel like it’ll be easy to finish your supervised practice hours – because it really *should* be all downhill from here.
Unfortunately, the keyword there is “should” – because while we agree that it should be easier, the reality is: the final stretch to becoming an IBCLC can be one of the hardest to navigate.
Even though you’ve put in the work and the hours so far, you still have to:
🫠 Find IBCLCs who are even available
Most IBCLCs are working full time, burned out, or simply unable to take on a student — even if they want to help. You’re often left emailing strangers, waiting weeks for a response (if any), or posting in Facebook groups hoping someone will bite.
😕 Get consistent supervision
Even if you do find mentors, most can only offer a handful of hours here and there. That means your hours are spread out, your learning is disjointed, and your growth as a clinician is stunted. It’s hard to improve when no one sees the full picture.
🧐 Coordinate between multiple mentors
Pathway 3 requires one chief mentor to oversee your entire plan, even if multiple IBCLCs are supervising your hours. That means you’re responsible for coordinating communication, managing documentation, and keeping everyone on the same page — on top of your actual clinical work.
😅 Make sure your hours actually count
Not all supervision meets IBLCE’s requirements. If documentation is incomplete, competencies aren’t signed off, or your mentors aren’t providing appropriate oversight, your application could be denied — even if you thought you were doing it right.
You deserve a mentorship experience that makes it easy to become an IBCLC — instead of leaving you stressed, scrambling, and second-guessing every next step.
One that helps you...
Gain real clinical experience in a supportive, structured environment
Learn how to apply your knowledge with confidence — not just observe from the sidelines
Build meaningful relationships with mentors who actually want to teach you
Get clear, consistent feedback so you can grow your skills as you go
Stay organized and on track with experienced Pathway 3 mentors
Everything you'll receive
✓ An organized Pathway 3 plan, ready for submission to IBCLE
✓ Access to multiple IBCLC mentors — no cold-emailing or coordinating required
✓ Structured mentorship with clear expectations, feedback, and learning goals
✓ Regular debriefs and group case study discussions to deepen your clinical judgment
✓ A supportive community of peers and mentors who actually want to help you succeed
⚠️ Note: You will still need to secure your own clinical setting(s) — this program is ideal for students who are already working with families in a lactation-related role or who have access to patient care through employment or volunteering.
How it works // 1 of 5
Apply to Join the Program
This mentorship is exclusively available to Infant Feeding Counselors® who’ve completed the IFC® Course and are pursuing IBCLC certification via Pathway 3.
How it works // 2 of 5
Choose Your Schedule
Select a part-time or full-time track based on your availability and how quickly you want to complete your hours.
How it works // 3 of 5
Secure a clinical site
You’re responsible for sourcing your own setting and clients — whether you’re already working in lactation or partnering with a local practice or provider.
How it works // 4 of 5
Complete your pathway 3 plan
With our support, you’ll finalize your Pathway 3 documentation — including your Clinical Competencies and preceptor structure — so you can get approved and start logging hours.
How it works // 5 of 5
Log your 500 hours with structured support
Work through your clinical experience with access to check-ins, evaluations, mentorship guidance, and support every step of the way.
We designed this mentorship program to meet you where you are — whether you’re already working in lactation, juggling another job, or going all-in on your supervised practice hours.
choose your schedule
part time
Designed for students completing 20 or fewer clinical hours per week
Complete your 500 hours over 8–12 months
Bi-weekly group supervision calls for case presentations and clinical discussions to keep you moving and supported
Access to weekly virtual office hours for additional questions (or case consults) with your mentor
Bi-monthly 1:1 check-ins with your FFEC mentor
full time
Designed for students completing >20 hours per week of clinical practice
Complete your 500 hours over 4–6 months
Weekly group supervision calls for case presentations and clinical discussions to keep you moving and supported
Access to weekly virtual office hours for additional questions (or case consults) with your mentor
Monthly 1:1 check-ins with your FFEC mentor
$500/MONTH
$1000/MONTH
Please note: The mentorship investment does not include any travel costs incurred as part of the FFEC Mentorship Program. At some point during your mentorship experience, you may need to travel to observe or participate in specific clinical scenarios — giving you the opportunity to round out your hours with real-world experience that reflects the full scope of lactation care.
This internship is perfect for you if you...
Have completed the IFC® course and are ready for hands-on clinical training
Are pursuing IBCLC® through Pathway 3 and need structured, supervised hours
Want to actually feel prepared for private practice — not just check a box
Are craving thoughtful feedback, community support, and real accountability
Value inclusive, weight-neutral, evidence-based lactation care
Want to walk into your IBCLC exam with true clinical confidence
because instead of...
🚫 Wasting hours Googling how to build your Pathway 3 plan — only to second-guess it later
🚫 Reaching out to random IBCLCs and hoping someone says yes to supervising you
🚫 Piecing together multiple mentors with no one to guide or oversee your progress
🚫 Feeling like a burden every time you ask a question or need feedback
🚫 Trying to track competencies on your own with no clear structure or support
🚫 Wondering if you’re even doing your clinical hours “right”
🚫 Getting to the end of your hours and realizing your documentation is incomplete
✅ Joining a mentorship program with a pre-approved Pathway 3 plan, built by experts
✅ Supported by a team of IBCLCs who are ready to guide & teach you
✅ Getting structured mentorship, with regular feedback and milestone check-ins
✅ Learning from real clinical cases with a cohort of peers, so you never feel alone
✅ Focusing your time and energy on the patients in front of you — not the admin work behind the scenes
✅ Tracking your competencies with confidence and clarity using our organized tools
✅ Finishing your 500 hours knowing your documentation and experience will meet IBLCE requirements
you're...
Frequently Asked Questions
Will this help me find an actual clinical setting to complete my hours?
Do I need to be an Infant Feeding Counselor® to join?
How do I track my hours and meet the IBLCE requirements?
What support will I get throughout the program?
Can I complete my hours virtually or do they have to be in-person?
Will I have to travel?
Is this program self-paced or structured?
The FFEC Mentorship Program provides all required documentation, structure, feedback, and mentorship for your supervised hours — but you are responsible for sourcing your own clinical setting and patients. This program is a great fit if you’re already working in lactation or have access to breastfeeding dyads through your current job or community.
Will this help me find an actual clinical setting to complete my hours?
Back to FAQ
Yes — at this time, this program is only available to students who have completed the 95-hour LEAARC-approved IFC® Course. This ensures that all participants start with a strong foundation in lactation knowledge and communication skills.
Do I have to be an IFC® to join?
Back to FAQ
Once accepted, you’ll receive an official Pathway 3 plan, plus templates and tools to help you track your hours, competencies, and experiences in alignment with IBLCE standards. We’ll walk you through exactly how to stay organized and on track.
How do I track my hours and meet the IBLCE requirements?
Back to FAQ
You’ll have a Chief Mentor assigned to oversee your progress, plus feedback and communication through case study reviews and evaluations. You’ll also be able to attend structured virtual check-ins and mentorship sessions.
What support will I get throughout the program?
Back to FAQ
It’s both. You’ll choose either a full-time (6-month) or part-time (12-month) pathway and follow a structured timeline, but you’ll have flexibility in how and when you complete your hours based on your availability and patient access.
Is this program self-paced or structured?
Back to FAQ
IBLCE allows for a combination of in-person and telehealth hours. As long as your patient interactions meet the clinical competencies and are appropriately supervised, your hours can include both.
Can I complete my hours virtually or do they have to be in-person?
Back to FAQ
You may need to travel for part of your mentorship experience — especially if you’d like to gain specific experiences that aren’t available locally (for example, shadowing a hospital-based IBCLC or attending in-person workshops). These opportunities can help round out your clinical exposure and strengthen your readiness for independent practice, and you are responsible for any travel costs.
Will I have to travel?
Back to FAQ
It's time to finish what you started.
Have questions or want to walk through the program before applying? Book a call with Sydney, our Director of Education and Engagement, here!
With supportive mentors guiding your growth and keeping your progress on track, you can finally complete your clinical hours with confidence – and start your IBCLC career feeling fully prepared.