Lactation Consultant

The womanly art of breast-feeding is not always an easy one to master for new mothers. For one thing, many new mothers are frightened by the prospect of having to be completely responsible for another human being; for another, many hospital professionals are simply not well trained in teaching new moms how to breast-feed properly. As a result, there are many young women out there who are breast-feeding incorrectly—and quite painfully so. Your prospects look good for this consulting business if you are patient and caring enough to show them the way, and with hospitals increasingly being forced to release mothers and their newborns in a short period of time after the birth, there will be plenty of room (and need) for outside professionals. Since many new moms like to share their positive experiences, word-of-mouth could bring in quite a few referrals.


Your start-up costs are minimal; mostly, you’ll need to make sure you have an adequate amount of resource materials and dependable transportation. For marketing materials, invest in professionally designed business cards—something that gives off a warm, caring feeling. Your fees should start at $40 per hour, collected at time of service.


It can be stressful dealing with frightened new mothers and helpless fathers; you’ll need a cool head to deliver this service. On the bright side, once you’ve taught the mother how to feed her baby properly, the stress level will sharply subside. And you’ll have at least three happy customers.


Service is what sets apart International Board Certified Lactation Consultant Barbara Taylor’s Breast-feeding Specialties in Lake Jackson, Texas.“I off er the added bonus of breast pump rental services as well as one-on-one work with new moms. Also, I have an extremely high referral rate.”


“My own business line with an answering machine; also, my own office space in my home for professionalism and confi dentiality.”


“Network with other professionals . . . being in a small town, I often feel cut off. Most of my networking involves a long-distance call! Also, you need to find out what mistakes other lactation consultants have made and share ideas with them about how to promote your businesses as an industry.”


“It would be much easier to succeed in this business if I had been a registered nurse.”


Approx. cost of start-up: Under $1,000


Approx. potential earnings:$25,000 to $40,000


Typical fees: $40+ per hour


Where to promote:Doctor’s offices, Yellow Pages, visiting nurse centers


Qualifications: State licensing or certification; nursing degree is required in most states as well


Things needed:None


Required staff: No


Hidden costs:Mileage