Nicola writes:

>Pat, you stated:
>
>"I believe IBCLCs are health professionals.  They are a part of the health
>care team, have passed certification exams, keep up with what's new and
>happening to improve BF outcomes.  I agree that an LC is different from a
>LLLL and/or a peer counselor.  The difference is the same as in any field,
>with   more experience and education you advance."


<snip>

>
>  Suggesting that the difference between LCs and Leaders is just a 
>matter of experience/education does an injustice to both.  Both have 
>an important role in supporting mothers through the breastfeeding 
>experience and we need to recognize each others strengths while we 
>work together helping them.


Yay and thrice yay! What I bring to bf support is *different* from an 
IBCLCs -  I have a HUGE amount of education and experience in what I 
do, and to remain registered,  I am required to annually demonstrate 
my competence, and up to dateness, and my inservice-training and 
development;  and I am supervised.

My expertise is mainly with *healthy* dyads, right across the age 
range from pregnancy to whenever breastfeeding ceases, and I do not 
do health or developmental assessments, prescribe anything, order the 
amount of supplement appropriate.  I can offer social support, 
information and encouragement to mothers and babies who do have 
health problems, but that's all. The other stuff is done by HCPs and 
if we had them here, it would be done by IBCLCs - and I would 
certainly see them as part of the health care team. I don't think I 
am any less educated or advanced - I bring a different, yet 
complementary, skill set :)

Heather Welford Neil
NCT bfc, tutor, UK
-- 
http://www.heatherwelford.co.uk

http://heatherwelford.posterous.com

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