Theresa, I couldn't agree more. To add: IBLCE should never forget its roots: Lactation Consultants started from within LLL, as a way for experienced Leaders to take their volunteer work to a professional level. Counseling based upon a sound knowledge of anatomy and physiology of normal lactation has always been the core business of lactation consulting. LCs should only have to have enough knowledge of medical, nursing and midwifery tasks to know when and to whom to refer.
Warmly, Gonneke, IBCLC in P, LC lecturer in southern Netherlands
Twitter @eurolacpuntnet
>________________________________
>From: Teresa Pitman <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Sent: Thursday, August 11, 2011 4:04 AM
>Subject: IBCLE requirements
>
>Let me start by saying that I am not an IBCLC, and don't think I will ever become one. As a LLL Leader, I have more than 30 years of experience in helping mothers, and still spend a considerable amount of time working with mothers and babies (home visit yesterday, two phone calls today, for example!) as well as my writing.
>
>I do have concerns about the new requirements. What I would like to see is actual evidence that these will improve the outcomes for breastfeeding mothers and babies. Do we have evidence, for example, that taking courses in CPR or medical terminology or sociology or any of the required items leads to more effective LCs? Do we have evidence, for example, that having taken these courses leads to a higher percentage of applicants who are able to pass the exam? If we don't have that kind of evidence, I think it would better not to make these changes and instead to carefully consider what evidence we do have about helping mothers breastfeed.
>
>I have heard in the past (and don't know if it is still true) that as a group, La Leche League Leaders tend to score very well on the exam. I do know that there is considerable evidence that the kind of support La Leche League Leaders provide is linked to increased exclusivity of breastfeeding and increased duration of breastfeeding. (I mention LLL because that's the organization I belong to, and which is most active here where I live, but I know that there are other peer support organizations who are equally effective. It is the KIND of support that is important - support based on skilled, empathetic counselling, the experience of having breastfed, and the focus on sharing accurate information.)
>
>So it seems to me a real loss that the people who are, according to the evidence, very effectively helping mothers with breastfeeding, are for the most part now being excluded from becoming IBCLCs.
>
>Teresa Pitman
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