Coach Smith again. This isn't an either-or choice. And I'm glad we're
discussing it AGAIN.

The world needs need good non-nurse LCs, and good RN-LCs, and good MD-LCs,
and good pharmacist-LCs, and good nurses who can manage basic breastfeeding
skills and good RDs who understand the vast differences between human milk
and other stuff, and good midwives, and so on. When all women in the world
are getting fabulous breastfeeding care,  THEN perhaps these turf wars make
some sense.

In professional regulatory circles, the concept of "exclusive scopes of
practice" is diminishing, although some professions are fighting hard to
keep this control. The idea of multiple credentials in one individual is
gaining wide acceptance, and frankly, that's GREAT for the recipients of
care.

It takes a team to really help moms in all aspects of breastfeeding. We
can't all be all things to all people. We DO need to know how to
collaborate, cooperate, and refer - and "hand off" care to others on the
same page with breastfeeding. On the other hand, we DON"T need people, of
any profession, who continue to be barriers to breastfeeding and perpetuate
incorrect information or unhelpful practices.

Personally, I have far less problem with a hospital requiring an LC who
works in a NICU to also be a nurse than a hospital who allows RN's working
in a NICU to be incompetent in breastfeeding care.

Linda J. Smith, BSE, FACCE, IBCLC
Bright Future Lactation Resource Centre
Dayton, OH USA
http://www.bflrc.com

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