I have to speak up about this issue.  Some people have implied that
non-IBCLCs should not be practicing as LCs (private practice or otherwise).
I would like remind everyone that a number of EXTREMELY SKILLED and
EXPERIENCED individuals exist who do not have IBCLC after their name.  Why?
They have chosen--for a variety of reasons--not to sit the exam.  Does this
mean they should not practice? Not in my book. The issue for me is their
level of expertise, experience, and the degree to which they remain
current.

I will name two: Kathleen Huggins and Binky Petok.

I do not know why they have chosen not to sit the exam.  I would, without
question, refer a client of mine to either of these individuals without
worry because they are so skilled and so experienced.

I agree that when anyone can call themselves an LC, some kind of boundary
that is recognized by the public may be necessary.  However, I also happen
to think that the lactation profession is WAY TOO YOUNG to be split into
the haves and the have nots--as ILCA has attempted to do with the new
by-laws, passed by a minority of members that does not even = 10% of the
membership, by the way!

Does anyone besides me think this is a problem?

Perhaps another way of distinguishing--until such time as university
(level) programs are available EVERYWHERE--is years of experience and
number of continuing education credits obtained each year.  My experience
suggests that those most likely to obtain such credits also are more likely
to stay current and to change their practice patterns in keeping with new
knowledge they obtain.  For my money, that is the key to a trustworthy
practitioner.

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"We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly
disguised as impossible situations."
Kathleen G. Auerbach,PhD, IBCLC (Ferndale, WA USA) [log in to unmask]
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