I wanted to weigh in on this subject since it comes up a lot for me right
now. I am not an IBCLC but hope to sit for the exam this year. I have been doing
home consultants for 4 years. I went through BSC's program for 30 months and
after graduating I was trained under an IBCLC (an excellent, incredibly
dedicated one) and continued to be supervised by her until our practice went
cooperative a year ago. I feel I am completely competent as a counselor and adhere to
IBCLC standards.

With that said, I would never use the title lactation consultant in a
professional setting to describe myself. I don't think it is appropriate for two
reasons. One, it is insulting to all the IBCLCs out there who studied and sat for
that exam. Two, when the term consultant is thrown around so casually, it
degrades this profession. When there is one ultimate standard or title that the
public recognizes, it commands respect for the lactation profession.

I always recommend to friends who I cannot see personally, that they see an
IBCLC to assure proper care is given. It is frustrating because I think I am
just as qualified to provide great help as are many non IBCLCS out there.
However, I have also run into women who have called themselves LC after a mere week
long breastfeeding training.

So while I despise tests and don't always think they are representative of
true qualifications, I think the one standard model gives more credence to a
profession that struggles sometimes to get respect anyway.

I know there is some disagreement about this. I would love to hear about
that.
 Heather Dana (dreading the test)!

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