Echoing Jan's post:

Anyone can call herself a "Lactation Consultant" so this title is one of 
confusion and distrust among health care providers and the general 
public. I always say it is appropriate to ask the breastfeeding helper 
about his or her background, training, skills, liability insurance, etc. 
Find out how she does her practice -- a good one will be happy to share 
this with you. Ask the mother after the consult how it went and if the 
"LC" was able to help her (at least provide guidance to solve the 
problem if it is beyond the scope of breastfeeding only). Mothers should 
feel it was the best thing they could have done by going to the LC 
rather than coming home with no more knowledge or improvement than 
before the consultation. Ideally, mothers come home with written BF 
information and a care plan.

We all know how this kind of confusion is harming the IBCLC as a 
profession. I do second consults all the time where mom was not helped 
or guided to improving the breastfeeding with the first person. Some of 
the first helpers are actual IBCLCs, some are of unknow training, but to 
the mother, they are all LACTATION CONSULTANTS on the same level in her 
mind.

Kathy Eng, BSW, IBCLC, LLL Leader

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