>IBCLCs ARE the gold standard because we must meet stringent pre-cert reqs
>and ongoing CERP requirements AND recertify by EXAM (one exam given to all
>everywhere--not subject to any individual who is administering it).

I am replying to this because I fear my last pot didn't come out right.  I
DO think there is a huge difference between a 4 day course and the one I
took that gave me months to complete it's requirements, I feel like I could
never retain from a 4 day course what took me months to learn.  Do I feel as
qualified as someone ready to sit for the exam? NO.  Do I feel like I have a
great start and I can handle 90% of the breastfeeding situations that I
face? YES  Do I know when to refer? YES.  I think that last one is the
key... we need to know our limitations, know when to seek help from others
and when to send the mom to an IBCLC.  The difference I think is in that
there are some CLC's out there that have all the knowledge but don't care to
or don't have the time/money/insert argument here... to sit for the exam.
Should they be penalized for that?  I do get frustrated at times though when
an IBCLC makes my knowledge seem second to theirs.  We do enough fighting in
the pursuit of getting babies to the breast, maybe cooperating with one
another would be a better road to follow?  Supporting one another is easier
than picking us apart.  The original poster had such a good point... if the
IBCLCs in her area won't take the time to volunteer then what would you have
them do?  Someone has to answer these phones and if it has to be someone
that has been to only a 4 day course then that to me is better than someone
who hasn't.  Maybe instead of worrying so much about the knowledge that they
have, we should be the ones showing them the way??  I agree that there is a
public misconception about the terms, IBCLC, LC, etc., but I don't think the
misconception is enough that we should be fighting amongst ourselves, we
should be helping one another.  There is often times a feeling that some of
us that aren't IBCLCs are coming in to threaten the private practices of the
"accredited ones", we are not doing that at all, but there IS a real need in
most communities for some sort of breastfeeding support other than LLL, and
we DO have to start somewhere.

Melisa
~*~*~*~*~
Did you hear? Breast is Best!
Certified Lactation Counselor
Student Midwife
Alternative Medicine Counselor in Training
Childbirth Educator
www.nurturingmama.com


Mom to Harry who changed my life,
Jacob who changed my spirit, and
Elleanor who changed my soul.

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