> I'm curious.  Are we consistent *on lactnet* about what we mean by an LC?
> I'm beginning to think that reserving the term LC for IBCLCs is a losing
> battle, at least in the real world.  If it is, what's the fall-back plan?
> "Board ceritified LC" for the IBCLCs, LC for anyone else?  Just wondering
> how you all feel the term is now being used by 1) the public, 2) by
> maternal/child professionals in general, and 3) by lactnet users themselves.

In The Netherlands LC is a young profession (1992 first certifications) and we
have made it a point from start on to create a professional organistation to
protect and promote the profession and protect the name (by registering like one
would do with a trade mark) ''lactatiekundige'' (our translation for LC) solely
for IBCLC's and no-one else. I think it is incredibly important to have only
IBCLC's carry the name LC, so people will know what to expect. Important also
for the credibility and acceptance within the medical and para-medical
professions. We also are alert to misuse, for example a well baby outpatient
clinic advertised in public leaflets about having an LC for clients to consult,
but the person in question did complete the training, nor had she taken the
exam. We wrote the organisation and explained to them that they should choose to
either name her LC-to-be or lactation specialist and why so.
(BTW: it didn't work out with the person, although she did get certified and now
this organisation has asked me and an other collegue to apply for the function!)

Gonneke van Veldhuizen, IBCLC, living in Maaseik, Belgium
http://www.users.skynet.be/eurolac
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