In 1993 or 94, when I first began thinking about becoming an IBCLC, the
first thing I did was look around for long term, comprehensive educational
programs. I knew what I knew, but it wasn't much. I found BSC, spoke with Jan
Barger (I'm not sure if she is affiliated with them today, but she encouraged me
to pursue my plan of education first and essentially is the reason I entered
this profession. Be nice to her, even if you're ready to strangle me!), and
enrolled in the Lactation Consultant Course. It was much as Pam Allyn
described. It was hard work and a lot of it. I had to get out there and find
someone who would let me observe her birth, follow around an IBCLC, read
Lawrence, Riordan and Auerbach, and a lot of other stuff. Complete course work that
included short and long essay questions, conversations by mail (no email
yet!) with the instructor, including being challenged on what I had answered and
why, and projects. I spent about 2 hours a day, sometimes more working on
it. The final exam was proctored and it was hard. It was closed book, of
course, and brought me back to the nightmare of final exams in college.
I have no financial or other interest in Breastfeeding Support Consultants,
nor did I when I took the course in 93-94.
After I finished this 18 month course, THEN I started looking for
opportunities to collect practice hours, volunteer at our local hospital doing phone
triage and follow up, and other bits and pieces. I wouldn't have dreamed of
touching a Mom and baby as a counselor with a 3 or 5 day course. At that time,
I may not have had the human contact, but at least I had the "book
learning." I probably could have passed the exam at that time, but I was nowhere near
ready to become a professional lactation consultant.
Not just because it is what I did, I would like to see women interested in
becoming IBCLCs start by taking a course (not necessarily one this big) --maybe
a comprehensive week-long course and/or some other training like the
"background in" courses, a set number of R, E, L. CERPS, some counseling training,
AND THEN begin collecting hours. So often what happens is that candidates
complete their hours, barely having seen an L. CERP, then take one of the 40
hour review courses offered to meet that requirement, then sit the exam. To me,
that's bass-akward. I think it should be take a course to get the basics
under your belt, apply them as you practice your skills under supervision,
then do a review course if you feel you want to, then sit the exam. Review
courses are excellent tools for many candidates and probably reinforce what
candidates need to fill in or brush up on before the exam, but they are NOT
required to sit the exam. I think there is the perception out there among a lot of
people beginning and even nearly finished with the process that they are.
Just more of my opinions you're thinking you probably could have done
without.
What do others think of the educational requirements for the exam?
Barbara Ash. MA. IBCLC
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