I am an LLL Leader (read that any volunteer breastfeeding counselor that goes
through training and mentoring)  and an IBCLC and want to add my tiny 2 cents
to this discussion of animosity between the professional and the volunteer.

 I think the biggest problem is IBCLC's and even some volunteers forget an
important part of the rules of breastfeeding -- it does not belong to us.
Breastfeeding belongs to the mother and her child.  We do not need to fight
over it or over who helps most.  Everyone--LC's, IBCLC's, all volunteer
counselors, MD's, nurses of all levels, should simply agree to help support
breastfeeding with whatever part of the process they do best. No one should
feel such ownership that it prevents them from passing on to someone else
when a situation is either beyond their scope or not in need of their
services.

I was taught I may not always know what is wrong, I may not even always know
how to fix it, but  I will usually be able see it is not right and I should
always feel safe referring to someone better suited for the situation.  It is
true that some volunteer breastfeeding counselors do not know enough, some
are really geared more for mother to mother support on an emotional level
(which is not to be ignored--actually it is probably equally important)and
should refer mom to someone qualified to help with the technical support.
However, it is also true that not all LC's (IBCLC or otherwise) are equally
qualified in all areas either.  There are plenty of LC's out there that know
only what their job is--i.e., newborn on the postpartum floor, NICU high
risk, older babies already home, etc.  Some are so skilled in areas they
teach us all.  We don't belittle LC's who only see high risk NICU babies for
not knowing what's up with a 4 month old healthy baby.  Why do those in the
world of helping moms breastfeed get attacked for being a mom's hand-holder
and shoulder so they can hang in there and DO all those wonderful things the
LC instructed?  For goodness sakes, this is true of every profession related
to breastfeeding.

Yes, maybe not all moms feel comfortable at LLL meetings or other support
organizations.  Maybe some moms like hospital based support and others like a
more casual support system.  Still others need no support at all.  So what.
The bottom line is each mom needs to find what helps her.  That decision
belongs to the mom, not those of us helping her.   We need to all learn to
work together for the greater good--a happy healthy breastfeeding mom and
baby.  Learn from each other and accept what each has to offer.  Remember, we
are not the owners of a medical specialty, we are there to empower and help
mother and baby claim what is rightly theirs.

Pam MazzellaDiBosco, IBCLC, continuing to learn and offering my time for free
while I watch my children grow

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