Chris asked
> I hope WIC IBCLCs in other states will join this discussion. The IBCLC
> credential ought to be on a professional par with RD or RN, don't
> you think?
Yes, definitely. MOST RDs and SOME RNs promote breastfeeding, but
that isn't their primary goal or training. MOST IBCLCs have at least
a bachelor's degree and certainly those who don't have proven
themselves very learned and intelligent just by passing the IBCLC
exam! Many people are unaware of what is involved in passing the
IBCLC exam. On IBCLC day I used the slide presentation that I
downloaded from the website to do a presentation at the WIC team
meeting for everyone. Even though I'd been going to their meetings
and some of them had known me for many years, they said they were
really impressed after I did the slide presentation about how much is
involved in becoming and IBCLC. Of course, it didn't make any
difference in the particular situation I described yesterday, which I
think is a matter of WHO you know, no WHAT you know. Of course the
RDs want me around to help with the breastfeeding problems that arise
that they can't handle but when one of their own needed some more
work and she likes breastfeeding, they gave the position to her
rather than to me.
Phyllis stated
WIC has always wanted RDs or other dietary or nutrition credentials.
That's
appropriate for a food distribution program but not for Breastfeeding
Counselors. The exclusion of any breastfeeding credentials in the
official
job descriptions for WIC Breastfeeding Counselors appears to be nation
wide. Where does one go to change this? Directly to the Dept of
Agriculture?
It needs to state IBCLC OR RD or RN at least in our state because
there are not IBCLCS employed in every area of the state who could
supervise. The IBCLC should be the first choice, of course. An RD
would be the second in line because they are the most likely ones, at
least here, to have training in breastfeeding and an interest in
promoting it. Years ago, before our agency became disorganized, they
all took an advanced breastfeeding course that we offered. The
change, if it is even needed (if it isn't in the New Jersey
regulations as Chris states, I wonder if it is really in ours, as
these are FEDERAL regulations) is not for the peer counselor but for
who supervises them.
Lucy Towbin, LCSW, MSW, IBCLC
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