To add something to the discussion about "LC's" and who can use those
initials, I also have strong feelings on that topic.  I indicated in an
earlier post that I took a "Lactation Counselor" training course through the
Center for Breastfeeding.

After taking that course, they told us we can put the initials "CLC" after
our names if we passed.  So, I passed....no problem!  But, in that class
there was a wide range of women there.  Mostly RD's from WIC and other WIC
personnel.  These women were there to obtain the "CLC" credential in working
with breastfeeding women.

I was the only person there that was currently with LLL.  I enjoyed the
course and learned many new things.  Much of the course covered the basics.
An interesting note to all of this, when the instructors were going over
basic positioning of breastfeeding, one woman raised her hand and said, "You
know, I talk to the mothers about breastfeeding, but I've never actually
seen anyone nurse her baby, what exactly do you look for?"  Well, that made
me think that if I were one of those mothers, I would think this person with
the "CLC" was accredited and had some experience.

Not necessarily so.  I do plan to sit for the IBCLC, and really want that
credential because I know what it represents.  You know an IBCLC has had
actual clinical experience and has actually worked with breastfeeding
mothers, besides having at least 30 hours of breastfeeding education before
even being able to sit the exam.  I appreciate that fact.  Working with
mothers and babies, can't beat that for experience!

We have a visiting nurse who calls herself a lactation consultant, and has
only served to undermine the confidence of several mothers who called LLL
because they were really concerned about what she said.

I checked up on her and found out that she is an RN who took some sort of
lactation course and got a certificate.  Not an IBCLC.

Not too favorable to have someone like that lumped in with the IBCLC
credentials.  Makes me want to scream, she told one mother she had "inverted
nipples"--I saw the mother and told her they weren't inverted at all, they
were a little flat because of engorgement, but they stuck out fine once we
pumped a little milk off!  We got that baby to latch on just fine!

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Connie Chiavario
Area Coordinator of Leaders
La Leche League of Illinois

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