My two cents on the LC routes...well, well, well...we could have ourselves
a little civil war here between the RN-IBCLCs, the LLLL-IBCLCs, the
CLC-xxxs etc.  For what it's worth...I have to say that while there are
many IBCLCs who have not bf and are excellent LCs, it would sure as heck
increase someone's credibility to me if they had "been through" a similar
experience.  This is the same concept as having a female doctor and feeling
as though she emphathizes with you (even though she may not).  I used to do
health education (yes, that's what CHES is for) for pregnant smokers.  When
I think back, these women must have laughed at me when they asked if I ever
smoked or had been pregnant (at that time I had done neither).  It doesn't
make the information or even the theory that I had to offer any less valid,
but it sure doesn't build any bridges of credibility.  Many of the moms I
counselled did ask.  Health education theory has demonstrated that the
messenger's credibility is a vital part of whether they act or engage in
the desired behavior.
        So, I think we need to give credit where credit is due.  LLL
Leaders, by virtue of the accreditation process requirements have nursed
for at least one year and have met many other criteria--plus have had a
mentoring relationship.  It is very difficult for me to see how a CLC
course of 6 weeks would ever compare to this type of an experience.  Yet, I
also see many LLLLs struggling to come up with enough contact hours to sit
for the IBCLC exam unless they were health care professionals before.  It
is frustrating for me to see and hear of "Lactation Specialists" who have
not bf and who have ONLY been through a gun-shot course.  A little
knowledge CAN be a dangerous thing.  It has the potential to discredit all
LCs.
        And, no...I wouldn't meet the qualifications for the RN-IBCLC job
either, but I'm in fine company from Kathy B's email.  I think the idea
that an IBCLC is supposed to be a jack of all trades insinuates that the
job of an LC is an add-on task.  It seems to be based in the belief that an
IBCLC has no more prep than the CLC/CLE or many short certification courses
in other subspecialities.  Which brings up another point...lactation is NOT
a subspecialty of nursing or of medicine.  This is like saying that public
health is a subspecialty of medicine when most public health practitioners
would say that medicine is a subspecialty of public health.  I can explain
this further if you'd like.

Whew...rant over...Is there anyone I didn't p---off?  AND YES, I am trying
to beat Jack's personal best for posting in one 24 hour period...so there.
: )

: )Chris Hafner-Eaton, PhD, MPH, CHES, IBCLC  email: [log in to unmask]   : )
: )HSR & Health Educational Consultant        voice/fax: 541 753 7340    : )
: )LLLLLLLLLLLLL**CHANGE THE WORLD, NURTURE A CHILD!**LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL : )