Natashia Conner &
B.R.E.A.S.T. 4 BABES
Black Breastfeeding
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HEAL Academy
Health Equity, Allyship & Lactation
Culturally congruent professional training that turns equity into everyday practice.
HEAL Academy prepares professionals to deliver inclusive, evidence-based care that dismantles barriers and honors the lived experiences of families. Our programs blend academic excellence, practical skills, and justice-centered leadership—so you can heal systems from the bedside to the boardroom.
Clinical Breastfeeding Management Counselor (C‑BMC) Certification
Evidence-based lactation care grounded in cultural congruence.
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Format: Hybrid—self-paced modules + live skills labs + case rounds
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Duration: 12 modules; OSCE-style evaluation; cohort-based (EST)
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You’ll learn: culturally responsive assessments; latch/positioning; milk transfer; return-to-work plans; red flags & referral; trauma‑informed communication
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Outcomes: C‑BMC credential (HEAL); skills portfolio; readiness to serve diverse families; guidance toward IBCLC pathways (independent of IBLCE)
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Expect: weekly micro‑learning, case rounds, skills labs, mentored capstone
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Note: HEAL is independent from IBLCE; completion does not itself confer IBCLC eligibility or licensure.
IBCLC Mentorship Pathway
Equity-centered professional formation for emerging lactation leaders.
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Format: Small-group mentorship, case conferences, reflective supervision
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Duration: 6–9 months; rolling admission
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You’ll learn: personalized IBLCE pathway planning; clinical reasoning; advocacy voice; reflective practice
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Outcomes: pathway plan + study roadmap; peer network; enhanced readiness for placements
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Expect: monthly cohort calls, case colloquia, study sprints; support for finding clinical experiences (availability varies)
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Note: Mentorship does not guarantee placement or eligibility for exams; IBLCE requirements are subject to change.
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Equity, Allyship & SDOH in Practice (DEI + SDOH)
From awareness to action—operationalizing equity across systems.
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Format: Custom workshops—half‑day intensives → multi‑week certificates
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For: Hospitals/health systems, health departments, universities, nonprofits, private practices
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You’ll get: an Equity Action Plan with metrics; policy templates & scripts; implementation coaching
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Expect: interactive scenarios, community‑engaged case studies, role‑play, tools library, executive brief & debrief
What Makes HEAL Different
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Cultural congruence is foundational—not an add‑on.
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Lactation & maternal–infant equity are core specialties.
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Mentorship and alumni support sustain growth.
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Actionable tools translate immediately to practice and policy.
Registration Requirements
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Eligibility: Age 18+; commitment to equity; background in health/community services preferred (DEI workshops open to all).
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Application: Online form; résumé/CV; 300–500‑word statement of purpose; optional reference.
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Technology: Reliable internet + camera/mic for live sessions.
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Policies: Accessibility/ADA accommodations; Code of Conduct (anti‑harassment); Academic Integrity; Refund/Transfer; optional Media Consent.
Cohort Calendar
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Spring 2026 (Mar–May) • Summer 2026 (Jun–Aug) • Fall 2026 (Sep–Nov)
Live sessions are typically on weeknight evenings (EST).
Code of Ethics
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Equity & Non‑Discrimination — Care without bias across race, ethnicity, language, gender, sexual orientation, disability, immigration status, or income.
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Cultural Humility — Honor community knowledge; center lived experience; shared decision‑making.
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Safety & Privacy — Trauma‑informed practice; clear boundaries; consent in simulations.
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Evidence‑Based Practice — Current research; transparent citation; refer appropriately.
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Professional Integrity — Avoid conflicts; represent credentials accurately; comply with laws & site policies.
FAQ
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Does C‑BMC make me IBCLC-eligible? No. Our curriculum aligns with core domains and prepares next steps; eligibility is set by IBLCE.
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Scholarships? Limited need‑based scholarships and sliding‑scale seats may be available in each cohort.
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Org trainings? Yes—co-designed agendas with leadership and community stakeholders; from half‑day to multi‑week formats.
Clinical Breastfeeding Management Counselor (C-BMC) Certification Training Course
B.R.E.A.S.T.4 Babes, Inc. Clinical Breastfeeding Management Counselor (C-BMC) Certification Training Course is a self-paced virtual course. Our approach integrates knowledge and evidence from the footprint of the World Health Organization/UNICEF, which enables our students to:
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Assist mothers in meeting their breastfeeding goals, asking them what they are when appropriate.
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Offer accurate, comprehensive, and objective information regarding breastfeeding and equipment.
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Base his/her recommendations on evidence-based practices for optimal breastfeeding outcomes and not on personal experience regarding breastfeeding and medications, tobacco use, alcohol, and illicit drugs.
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Use counseling skills and techniques that support breastfeeding mothers and babies, practicing in a clinically competent manner.
Under the direct supervision of the IBCLC ®, our Clinical Breastfeeding Management Counselor (C-BMC) Certification Training Course mentees will provide guidance to families that protects, promotes, and supports breastfeeding, while respecting the counselor's breastfeeding goals. B.R.E.A.S.T.4 Babes, Inc. continuously works to preserve confidentiality and adhere to HIPAA guidelines, to promote health equity policies, programs, and practices that address health, social, economic, environmental, and other factors that improve minority maternal, infant, and family health, increasing minority racial representation in allied health professions.
Course Outline
To become certified as a B.R.E.A.S.T.4 Babes, Inc. Clinical Breastfeeding Management Counselor (C-BMC) Certification Training Course students are required to complete: Clinical competency exam (observation):
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Minimum of 5 consults with SOAP documentation, with a minimum of 5 consults led by the student to demonstrate competencies under the supervision of IBCLC®
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Minimum of 2 breastfeeding classes: 1 must be independently led by student under the supervision of IBCLC®
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Minimum of 2 peer-to-peer breastfeeding support groups: must be independently led by the student under the supervision of IBCLC®
Through breastfeeding expertise and theoretical knowledge of human lactation with effective intervention and support, mentees will host twice monthly:
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Virtual breastfeeding class
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Virtual breastfeeding support group & drop-in clinic
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Breastfeeding management
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Volunteer on our helpline which needs coverage 365 days a year.
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Help to manage our closed Facebook group with quality information and excellent counseling skills.
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Take on families who wish to have a personal counselor that can contact via text, email, or phone with questions or concerns.
Counseling skills competencies:
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Assessing & evaluating the anatomy and physiology of the breastfeeding dyad.
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Evaluation and documentation of breastfeeding.
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Teaching the technique of manual hand expression.
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Counseling the mother and her supporters about the infant feeding decision.
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Providing appropriate anticipatory guidance and proactive support.
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Recognizing individual roles and responsibilities within appropriate scope of practice
Module 1
Foundations of Human Lactation
Module 4
Communication, WHO, Code of Conduct
Module 2
Clinical Skills & Dyad Consultations
Module 5
Milk Expression, Alternative Feeding
Module 3
Diversity, Equity, Belonging, and Inclusion
Module 6
Evaluating Research
What does it mean to be a Recognized Breastfeeding Support Counselor Organization?
An organization recognized by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE), as one that provides a structured training program for their counselors which includes comprehensive education in breastfeeding and lactation management, a Code of Ethics or Professional Conduct, structured supervision for counselors, with an appropriate level of training, and a continuing education program for counselors.
Eligible IBCLC candidates in our program meet the required 95 hours of lactation-specific education, including five hours focused on communication skills, within the five years immediately before examination application and the minimum of 1000 hours of lactation-specific clinical practice in an appropriate supervised setting within the five years immediately before examination application.
Dr. Natashia Conner, Executive Director & Instructor
Professional Culturally Specific Lactation Education & Diversity Training
Professional Development Services
We offer a series of programs geared towards professional development. Our breastfeeding training program is geared towards educating para/health professionals on how to support breastfeeding within their individual fields of study.
Our IBCLC study prep sessions are geared towards tutoring exam qualified candidates on key topics that are covered on the exam. Pupils have access to our extensive library materials. We offer mentorship services to aid in the development of future IBCLC's. This service can also be used for the individual interested in pathway 3.
Our internship program is for IBCLC candidates only. If interested please include your L-# in the Interest area box (example: Internship L-XXXXX).
The cost associated with mentorship/ internship is $40.00 per clinical contact hour. Mentorship requires a non-refundable deposit of 10% of total fee. The internship requires a non-refundable deposit of 15% of total fee.
Culturally Specific Lactation Education & Training
