In a message dated 10/28/99 7:20:14 AM US Mountain Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

<< But Theresa, what does CLC mean?  I don't mean to pick on you -- and I'm
not
 going to, but this is a major problem for the public and for others.  Exactly
 what does CLC mean?  Or CLE?  or CLS? Or a myriad of other intials that are
 out there.  How does anyone, especially the public, know what this person has
 done to "earn" the CLC?  Or CLE?  Or C...whatever.
  >>

Jan,

How many people in the general public know what IBCLC means if you don't
explain it to the? I am not trying to be flip here, I spend a lot of my time
educating clients as to the difference between my 'credentials' as a clc and
'student lactation consultant' and those my employer who is an IBCLC.

Like the previous poster (Theresa I believe) I have had IBCLC's ask me
questions, have more information on some subjects than they do, and am well
aware of my limitations. I do not do consults, I do not help with latch on
questions (except to describe proper positioning and tell them that bf does
not hurt if done correctly) and I don't try to pass myself off as a lactation
consultant in any way. There are people in other support areas (WIC and LLL
for example-not to disparage either of those groups) who have less experience
than I and no credentials-dispensing BF help of all kinds.

As I have asked before, how else am I supposed to get started? I cannot work
in the capacity I do without the CLC credential, and am looked down upon by
the profession I want to join by using the CLC credential. Tell me what you
want me to do. You pushed some buttons here.

Cheryl Tompkins CLC
Phoenix AZ USA

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