Nicole,
Thank you for this post. I think you need ot send it to ILCA and the IBLCE.
Judy Gutowski, BA, IBCLC
-----Original Message-----
From: Nicole Hoff [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Friday, January 12, 2007 11:43 PM
Subject: Hopeful IBCLC
I just wanted to shed some light on what I have been going through as a
hopeful IBCLC because I think it would surprise some; and on the other hand,
I want to let others out there like me not feel alone. And maybe I just need
to vent... :)
I am a 25 year old college student and mom of 2. My 4 yr old breastfed for
16 months and it was an uphill battle with little support in my community at
the time. Breastfeeding advocacy, support, and education became my passion,
and I began helping moms in the area. Now several years later, I am
breastfeeding my 14 month old, which even with all my gained bf-ing
knowledge, was difficult because he was tongue-tied and I had to search high
and low for local resources. My desire to become an IBCLC started with his
birth because I saw the need to make breastfeeding and helping moms "my
career."
My first major in college I pursued was nursing (BSN) because I knew I
wanted to help mothers and babies clinically, and because everyone said
there is such a big need for nurses here (South Texas). Then when I decided
to seek IBCLC certification and started this IBCLC journey, I had no
direction from college advisors, nursing staff, and no one to give me a
degree plan of what would be best. Everyone said to just be a nurse. But
for me personally, I dont want to be a nurse. I want to be a breastfeeding
professional alone, breastfeeding specialist, and be respected as just that.
I looked online at the IBCLC website, which I did not feel was as throrough
or professional as I personally needed it to be. The site was confusing and
there was no one to talk to personally. I was used to a BSN degree path that
was laid out, simple, and basically there were organizations and advisors to
hold your hand through it and encourage the profession because "there is
such a need and respect for nurses." There was so much support if I wanted
to be a nurse and always a prospective job opening with great pay. Well, I
personally knew there was a "need for IBCLCs" so even though I didn't get
much personalized help and career counseling from anyone at IBCLC or in the
community I pursued the path. (Thank goodness for LACNET archives and for
personal LC websites that did help!)
I was following pathway B and interning with 2 wonderful IBCLCs at a local
hospital, when I stumbled across a signature on LACNET that said "Union
Institute adjunt faculty."
Curious, I googled it. Lo and Behold a degree plan for those intersted in
lactation!? Why didn't I see this or hear of this when I was talking to
IBCLC to seek a pathway with lactation specific education... I dont know? No
longer would I need hours studying to be a nurse or another bachelors degree
when that is not my main goal. I could actually get a degree in this field
and I am proud to say I am! This is my second semester at Union and I
finally have that degree plan and wonderful personalized education and
support I so longed for. Along with my internships I feel I am getting the
best preparation for this chosen career. I wish I could shout it from the
rooftops for others interested in becoming an IBCLC.
I am a planner--I want to know what the future holds--especially since I am
25, investing a ton of money and time into my career, and have two little
ones. So while I am excited about being with Union and my now Junior status
and on my way to my bachelors in Maternal and Infant Nutrition
(specialization in lactation), I am confused as to what I will do next. I am
not alone with this concern. Unlike a nurse, jobs will be far and few
between and employers will know little about what IBCLC means. Will they
care I have a degree in lactation, am an IBCLC, but not a nurse? The need is
there, the demand is there, but I will have yet another huge hurdle to face
once I have gained education and experience. I have researched private
practice, and am actually taking a IBCLC PP course this semester-so it may
be an option. But if the public doesnt understand what IBCLC means and Dr's
dont understand it, then I am asking myself what is the point in investing
so much into this?
BECAUSE ...I tell myself...my breastfeeding career shadows my breastfeeding
experience. I wanted to give up on breastfeeding my 2 boys, had no support,
no direction, no one saying it will be ok, and I invested so much time and
energy to do it alone, but all along I knew it was best. This career is best
for me and the moms I will help someday.
So as I continue this career path, along with other young people, I would
like to plea to everyone out there who can make a difference... please make
being a breastfeeding professional not as complicated, confusing, and
agonizing as it is. Point out the level of education one will need and what
they may face if they do not hold an RN or MD. Then work hard to address
why that is an issue in the first place, why isnt an IBCLC with training,
education, and certification not respected, not sought out, not paid well,
not valued highly in the community? The excuse cannot always be because
breastfeeding is on a decline and no one wants to make an investment in it,
because I see and hear just the opposite in research. Cant there be some
sort of joint effort with Universities, Institutions, or educators
internationally to make getting a lactation education, CERPS, CEUs easier in
regards to accredidation, financial aid, and education consistency? There
may not be this issue of so many breastfeeding credintials if there was a
certifiying body that helped those eager to gain the education and
experience without making them jump through hoops. While it is also a
service for some, this profession needs to also be regarded as a career for
many people. Helping breastfeeding mothers is enjoyable and the path to
helping these mothers has got to be enjoyable for it to prosper. Sometimes I
wonder why something so natural as feeding a baby is made out to be such a
complicated issue, and now in the same sense I am wondering why something so
natural as learning and certifying to help mothers breastfeed is such a
complicated issue? Also, the profession cant grow and be recognized and help
new IBCLCs in any way, if people do not know what it is to be one. Is it
possible to invest in making IBCLC known and respected?
Moms, dads, doctors, and society know LLLI, MOPS, RD, MD, and they even
know what a PT or RN is, so why not an IBCLC? Is it the new IBCLCs
responsibily to make this certifying body known and respected? Because to be
honest, I dont think my future employer will just take my word for it.
Another way I hope to help is to get out there and start an IBCLC
revolution. They did it with Physical therapy when I was 10 years old and
everyone wanted to be a PT, and then with nursing when I was 15 and many
friends are now RNs and LVNs. If the word starts now that it is a
wonderful, rewarding, and respected career choice the young students will
seek this as a career and help us all. I am rambling so ...Lastly, help all
those hopeful IBCLCS and please find someone who is seeking certification
and mentor them. As you know this is not an easy career choice and there
are lots of questions, concerns, and advice needed along the way.
I am hoping to be the future of IBCLC-A professional who can stand without
worry or concern or apprehension, with full confidence and appreciation,
alongside parents, professionals, nurses, midwives and doctors and be
respected as a person who has dedicated her career and life to
breastfeeding.
Thanks for your time,
Nicole Hoff
Mom to 2 boys
Union Learner
BrightBabiesCompany
Birth Partner, Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Baby Signs Instructor
www.mybrightbabies.com
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