> I think that so long as we spin our wheels on the "which is more
> valuable?" vein, we are our own worst enemies. We all, RN or non-RN LC's
> need
> to act as if this is a real profession. I do not think that if there were 2
> OT's in a room that there would be a question among docs about which one was
> more valuable b/c one had an additional accreditation. But, I don't think
> the
>

Jennifer, thank you for saying this so well.  I don't think that this thread
is meant to say that one is better or more qualified than the other.  I
personally feel that many hospitals like to have RN/IBCLCs so they can do
dual duties.  There are MD/IBCLCs, ARNP/IBCLCs, RD/IBCLCs and RN/IBCLCs.  I
know some of each in my area and they refer to me because they don't have the
time in their practice to spend the quantity of time to help a mother who is
really struggling with breastfeeding.  They do a wonderful job correcting
problems and giving out correct medical advice.  They are doing what they can
to promote, protect and support breastfeeding.

I think we still have a way to go to be recognized as a profession of
specialist in the field of lactation, but the recognition will come faster if
we all work together to help hospital administrations and others to better
understand our profession.  Many, many administrators, doctors, WIC person
(and the list could go on) don't understand the time involved in helping a
mother with breastfeeding.  Lactation is so different then other disciplines
of medicine or therapy, and it is so unique to the individual dyad.
Breastfeeding help should be viewed like labor and childbirth.  You can't
predict how long a labor will be.  You can't allocate x number of minutes for
breastfeeding help and teaching.  Our whole culture is so ignorant about
breastfeeding and what it takes to support it.

We are the pioneers of a renaissance of breastfeeding.  We along with every
nursing mother and baby are the ones who have the opportunity to change a
bottle feeding mentality back to a breastfeeding mentality.  To accomplish
this, we all need to be working with each other.  Pioneers have always had to
struggle in their efforts, why should we be any different.  We need to put
away our differences and elevate one another for the sake of our profession
and most of all for mothers and babies.

Warm regards,
Pat Lindsey, IBCLC - Lactation Services
Pediatrics Plus Staff LC & Private Practice
Orlando, FL

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