Hello everyone!
Kathy's comments regarding non-IBCLCs functioning as an IBCLC really "pushed
my buttons"!  We have a similar situation here with one of the large,
national HMOs.  They sent one of the NPs to a 3-day wonder course on
breastfeeding and now present her to the community as a lactation consultant.
One mother said that she had received more help over the telephone from our
center (all IBCLCs) than from an appointment with the HMO "lactation
consultant".

What can we do about this type of situation?  Providers that allow this are
fooling the public and should be held accountable.  But to whom?  And
professionally, I am angry that a provider assumes that going to a
breastfeeding class qualifies one to do what I have worked years to learn.

Pardee Hinson, MPH, IBCLC
Charlotte, NC