Breaking Barriers: Leslie Owens Redefines Lactation Consulting
Leslie Owens' Lactation Consultant Launchpad™ empowers aspiring IBCLCs to achieve certification without disrupting their careers.
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Aug 23, 2025
NATIONWIDE - AUGUST 2025 - (USAnews.com) — In the world of maternal and infant health, becoming a lactation consultant is an impactful way to help families thrive. Yet, many passionate professionals find the traditional path to certification inaccessible. Leslie Owens, RN, IBCLC, is challenging this by creating the Lactation Consultant Launchpad™, a program designed to break down the barriers that have historically limited entry into this essential field. Through her innovative approach, Owens is reshaping the future of lactation consulting and offering a more inclusive route for aspiring IBCLCs to enter the field.
The Mission Behind Mother Nurture Maternity
Founded by Leslie Owens, a veteran registered nurse and board-certified lactation consultant, Mother Nurture Maternity & Lactation Consultant Launchpad is dedicated to improving maternal and infant health outcomes. The organization provides both lactation support to families and professional mentorship for those interested in becoming lactation consultants. The company’s unique mission focuses on two vital areas: offering accessible lactation care to families and mentoring the next generation of lactation consultants through the Lactation Consultant Launchpad™ program.
Overcoming Barriers in Lactation Consulting
Leslie Owens’ decade of experience as an IBCLC opened her eyes to the challenges professionals face in obtaining certification. She found that many experienced birth workers, nurses, and breastfeeding advocates struggled with the traditional certification process. This led to a major decision: to create a more flexible, inclusive pathway for those who are dedicated to improving breastfeeding support and maternal care. Owens explains, "I wanted to build a program that could support the unique needs of individuals who needed a flexible way to pursue certification on their terms."
Lactation Consultant Launchpad™: A New Pathway to Certification
Lactation Consultant Launchpad™ is a comprehensive and flexible virtual program designed to help aspiring IBCLCs navigate the certification process within as little as 12-18 months. This program provides 20+ hours of breastfeeding counselor education, ongoing mentorship, and a supportive online community of like-minded peers. Participants benefit from live calls (with recordings available), peer coaching, clinical opportunities through virtual support groups, a lactation warm line, a virtual drop in clinic, and teaching breastfeeding classes. The program is designed to accommodate those who need flexibility, allowing them to learn at their own pace without the need to return to formal schooling.
Unlike other programs that require students to attend synchronous classes or rearrange their entire lives in the name of mentorship , Lactation Consultant Launchpad™ offers an online, asynchronous format. This approach allows students to balance their professional and personal lives while advancing their education. Additionally, the program offers optional in-person opportunities for local students in the Atlanta/West Georgia area, providing hands-on experience and real-world learning.
What Sets Mother Nurture Maternity Apart
What makes the Lactation Consultant Launchpad™ different from other programs is its emphasis on accessibility, flexibility, and mentorship. The program caters to individuals from various backgrounds, such as doulas, nurses, and birth workers, who are interested in becoming certified lactation consultants, but are unable to dedicate themselves to full-time education. Leslie’s approach is not just about teaching technical skills but also providing consistent support throughout the certification journey. Students have access to a portal where they can ask questions, seek guidance, and connect with Owens directly.
Owens’ goal is to make the field of lactation consulting more inclusive and diverse by offering a supportive community where individuals can grow professionally while remaining in their current roles. The Lactation Consultant Launchpad™ helps break down barriers, offering the tools and knowledge needed to pursue certification without taking on the traditional obstacles.
Leslie Owens is not only revolutionizing the way lactation consultants are trained but also addressing systemic gaps in maternal and infant care. By providing an accessible and flexible certification path through the Lactation Consultant Launchpad™, Owens is paving the way for more birth workers, nurses, and breastfeeding advocates to become IBCLCs and help families in need of breastfeeding support. Whether you are looking to start a new career or deepen your expertise in maternal health, the Lactation Consultant Launchpad™ offers an empowering and supportive environment to make it possible.
For more information about the Lactation Consultant Launchpad and how to get started, visit Mother Nurture Maternity.
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