Some of you know that I am a NON RN, IBCLC practicing in a major metro
Chicago hospital with 3400 births/year and over 50% breastfeeding. I
think this is a good rate for an inner city, low income minority
population.When I started 2 1/2 years ago, it was 33%.  I have learned a
great deal in my years in a hospital from my colleagues and from
seminars I've attended that have nothing to do with lactation. I have
also taken about 2 years of pre-nursing course work like A&P,
microbiology, psych, sociology, etc. I can recognize many problems that
some non-RN LCs who are not experienced in hospital settings may miss. I
work with our NICU quite a bit and feel very confident in my skills
regarding these very little babies. I know that we could debate this for
years and never come to agreement. But I feel that there are many very
qualified individuals (while there are also people who sat the exam and
passed and don't have a clue, just quote the literature) who can do this
job and do it well.
mary kay smith, IBCLC
romeoville IL near Chicago

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