Here is part 3 on my (rant) discussion topic of the day.

1. ANY education/training in breastfeeding is better than none. A one-day
course is better than a one-hour inservice. A one-week basic course is
better than a one-day course. A longer course is generally better than a
shorter one. More knowledge and skills are always better than less. In
general, a full time IBCLC is qualified to provide a broader scope of
breastfeeding care than someone without that credential.
2. I have a real problem with institutions who try to get by on the cheap by
asking volunteer peer counselors to shoulder responsibilities far beyond
their legitimate scopes of practice. IMHO, this is unethical, dangerous and
exploits the volunteer. And puts the institution and clients/patients at
unnecessary risk. Asking a lactation educator - trained to teach good
breastfeeding classes - to do 1:1, hands-on support in a clinical setting is
asking that educator to stretch far beyond what their training was intended
to accomplish. No hospital would expect, or even allow a certified
childbirth educator to do the job of a certified nurse midwife. That some
individuals can rise to the occasion is a testament to their skill, but NOT
a justification for the practice!
3. I realize that institutions have to start somewhere, and that peer
counselors and/or lactation educators are often the key to opening the door
to more/improved lactation services. This is good. This is only a START,
however. I hope these institutions keep going. For example, I'm told that a
small Level I hospital in Virginia has a stated goal that all of the staff
perinatal nurses will become IBCLC certified. ALL of them. Very cool idea!
4. Institutions are prepared (or forced) to pay for appropriately trained
and credentialed providers in other areas of health care. Why should
breastfeeding support be any different?

Climbing down now, not in the least bit out of breath.

Linda J. Smith, BSE, FACCE, IBCLC
Bright Future Lactation Resource Centre
Dayton, OH USA where it's cold, gray, and dry today and may snow tomorrow.
http://www.bflrc.com