"However, the issue of licensure is a separate one because of the nature of
the health services delivery system in the US. I wonder which will come
first, ABM creating an official subspecialty (once breastfeeding has a
Boards, it can become an official subspecialty), or IBCLCs becoming
licensed. In the medicalized system that prevails here in the States, both
are needed."

Breastfeeding as a physician subspecialty is not a profitable root for an MD. It is similar to MDs who start specializing in homebirth and discover that they cannot make a living and their training is not justified for a non-medical event of homebirth. The only route that will make breastfeeding a profitable field to practice to make it as pathological as birth has become. I doubt that there is enough grave danger and scare amongst the public to make this happen.

Medicalized system in the US does not make licensing of breastfeeding help a legitimate need. At best one can make a claim it is a necessity. Whether it is avoidable or not can be up for debate. I am not sure that it is ethical to follow a route that has documented negative effect for women - medicalization of normal female experiences.

"Mothers will always help each other; mother to mother (or parent to parent)
support will always be essential, will always be readily accessible and
will always occur."
Research in transformation of the social event of birth into a medical event of birth clearly shows that "mothers will always help mothers" notion does not necessarily hold true. Peer birth support has been eliminated in all countries that adopted medicalized approach. Similar research on medicalization of other areas of human existence show similar trends - once an experience moves into the medical domain, the public loses means to cope on their own.

"Reminds me that folks don't stop putting bandaids on their children because other folks are certified in First Aid."
First Aid folks are certified, not licensed. It means that anybody can put a band-aid on anybody. If First Aid becomes a licensed occupation it will mean that nobody but licensed First Aid providers will be able to apply band-aids. Anecdotally, however, if you go to Charlotte Douglas Airport you will discover that you cannot get a band-aid. There is no First Aid post in the airport. You have to call an ambulance if you rubbed your foot. 

Natalie Wilson

             ***********************************************

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome