Whoa, Melissa -- you said:


> Stop feeling so threatened by the rest of us and let's
> get back to the job at hand. Perhaps some of the focus in educating the
> public should just be that it doesn't matter who is helping as long as the
> info is correct and the mom is nursing!

This discussion started out based on how to be recognized and paid for the
work we do, particularly since many mothers do not want to pay out of pocket
and insurance companies don't recognize our work for what it is.  I don't
believe anyone indicated they were "threatened" by anyone else.  You said in
a post a few days ago that you are fortunate in that your husband makes a
good living, so basically it doesn't matter if you are paid or not for the
breastfeeding work you are doing (I'm not quoting -- I'm giving the gist of
your comment).  Melissa, that's great for you -- and I'm glad you can do
that.  However, not many that are in this field can afford to not make a
living at doing what they love -- or they have to do it on the side while
they are being paid for doing another job.

The issue at hand is not whose best and whose not best or educating the
public -- the issue at hand is how can we make IBCLCs professional *enough*
that they are being paid what they are worth and recognized by the payors as
worthy of being paid.

As for not medicalizing breastfeeding -- hey -- I'm all for it, and will be
delighted to see a decrease in the medicalization of breastfeeding, which I
can assure you will happen just as soon as childbirth is demedicalized.

Jan Barger, RN, MA, IBCLC
Wheaton IL

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