Dear Jeannie Fisher,

I really understand your sore spot.  When I began studying credentialing in
1982 for LLL's Lactation Consultant Department project (which funded the
formation of IBLCE), I quickly realized there was a lot more to it that I had
ever dreamed.  "LLL Leader" is a recognized credential in some areas (my
state government included) because there are international standards, a
mechanism to remove a truly impaired or dangerous individual, and insurance
available. These are some of the "public protection" features that add
credibility.

Breastfeeding care (generic term) stems from 2 roots: mothers talking to
mothers, and professionals studying how to help mothers. In the best of
worlds, a whole team of providers is available to help a mother, depending on
what her needs are. The most effective professional programs acknowledge that
they learned lactation management from mothers - Dr. Naylor described
Wellstart's early work with LLLI at the 1995 ILCA conference.  Dr. Lawrence
speaks highly of Dr. Edith Jackson, who learned from her rooming-project at
Yale (1920's) where mothers talked to mothers and professionals learned from
them.

Credentials have value, and mothers talking to mothers have value.  This is
not an either-or situation. Each compliments (or should complement) the
other, with the same end goal: helping mothers breastfeed.

Please e-mail me privately if you want a long, long explanation of 15 years
of investigation of this issue.

Linda Smith, BSE, FACCE, IBCLC
Dayton, OH