> I like what the person said from Australia, that their programs
> were at least 6 weeks long.  That sounds good for a beginning
> program.

I meant six weeks from start to finish, not a six week beginning
program. Compare this to the several years most people take to become
IBCLCs.  This six weeks includes 20 hours of preliminary assignments,
a week (30 hours) on-campus and, half a week (20 hours) of clinical
observation of an LC at work. Don't be misled into thinking that the
30 hours of lectures are all about how to help mothers to breastfeed,
they also include useful information like how to set up in private
practice as a ready-made LC.

That said, I agree that there should be opportunities for wannabe LCs
to intern.  The sort of program Jane outlined sounded good. The "help
me set up in business now that I have done my two-week course and got
my pumps" is NOT what we should be aiding and abetting, for the sake
of mothers and babies.

Ros Escott BAppSc IBCLC
Tasmania, Australia