While I am all for including those who are learning the skills of a lactation consultant and have not yet taken the exam, I would like to point out what I think is the bigger picture. The IBCLC profession is under seige and in many areas is not seen as highly valuable by either the general public or physicians. Some of this comes from the abundance of formula advertising and women's lack of desire to breastfeed. Some of this comes from a lack of standardized training programs, meaning like a degree program in a college or university. The public doesn't really know the difference between a breastfeeding educator, a lactation consultant, and IBCLC Intern/Student or a full fledged IBCLC. Having said this, I don't believe LACTNET is the place to get the word out that "IBCLC (student)" or "IBCLC Intern" is an inappropriate term. IBLCE should be promoting this on their web site, newsletters, and with the forms that are sent out when people want to apply to take the exam. But I have to say I am glad they are starting to take this stance  -- simply because I have seen the fallout of a community full of untrained and poorly skilled "lactation consultants."  

Kathy Eng, BSW, IBCLC

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