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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