Jeanette said, "However, I was - and still am - an LLLLeader.  No one has
checked whether I know the information or even if I've read the Womanly Art
of Breastfeeding since I was approved in 1975.  Of course, you know I
have.but I have been to meetings where Leaders have not been keeping up to
date, even though LLLI instructs/informs/requests that they do."

This could be another problem as volunteer hours is one of the few ways
non-medical folks can accrue enough hours to sit for the test. According to
the IBLCE website:

*Mother Support Counselor:  Accredited mother-to-mother breastfeeding
support counselors and breastfeeding peer counselors are among the mother
support counselors who may qualify through Pathway 1. To be recognized by
IBLCE, the candidate must be employed by or volunteer with an organization
that provides breastfeeding support counseling and that requires its
counselors to:*

   - *Complete a structured training program that includes comprehensive
   education in breastfeeding management.*


   - *Work within a supervision structure that is appropriate to their
   training.*


   - *Adhere to defined ethical standards for conduct.*


   - *Remain up to date by participating in continuing education.*


   - *Volunteer, accredited mother support group leaders must report to
   their appointed organizational supervisor and they receive credit for 500
   clinical practice hours for each year of active service.*


How many of the volunteer organizations actually meet the above
requirements?  LLLI does not have a structured training program - it really
depends on the Leader who is bringing you in. There are continuing ed
opportunities available, but no requirement to take advantage of them or to
track who is doing so. Once a Leader is accredited, she can operate solo -
who is the supervisor for lone Leaders or new Leaders that are working with
others who are equally inexperienced?

This is an issue for me especially because in Breastfeeding USA we are
presently putting potential Breastfeeding Counselors through our training
program which we consider to be fairly comprehensive, but have no idea how
it might be judged by the IBLCE. We also have a requirement for CE in order
to remain accredited, but it will require some dedicated staffers to track
this over time as the number of BCs increases. Some of our BCs are also
running solo, the same as lone Leaders. I have a feeling that there are
similar issues with other volunteer organizations. We are told that the
IBLCE is taking a closer look at this whole issue and indeed we have BCs
that are interested in accruing hours towards sitting for the exam. What
happens if many currently certified organizations are deemed not actually
qualified under IBLCE's stated guidelines? This is really the only option
for many folks right now that do not have access to a medical setting or
are unable to find an IBCLC that can mentor them. Rather ironic,
considering that it was a group of La Leche League Leaders who originally
founded the IBCLC profession.

Again, it is this push and pull between trying to fit the profession into
the accepted medical profession model - college degree - versus keeping
open other pathways. Very tricky road to hoe.

Sharon Knorr, IBCLC
Colorado, USA
Board of Directors, Breastfeeding USA


On Sun, Mar 11, 2012 at 7:37 PM, Jeanette Panchula <
[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> I have a different "take" on this re-testing thing.
>
>
>
> Maybe this is a way to get people out of the profession who should not be
> there?
>
>
>
> I know those who participate in Lactnet also attend conferences, read,
> discuss alternatives, look up information and write privately to the
> generous experts among us.so they would/could/should pass it with flying
> colors!
>
>
>
> However, I was - and still am - an LLLLeader.  No one has checked whether I
> know the information or even if I've read the Womanly Art of Breastfeeding
> since I was approved in 1975.  Of course, you know I have.but I have been
> to
> meetings where Leaders have not been keeping up to date, even though LLLI
> instructs/informs/requests that they do.
>
>
>
> I first tested in 1985 - in 1996, when re-testing was to occur, I was part
> of the "test subjects" who did not study for the exam - and I passed.
> However, I had also been an ILCA member since the beginning, reading the
> JHL
> through all its stages, attended local and national conferences, and was by
> then teaching breastfeeding to staff in the hospital and local clinics, as
> well as seeing mothers in the hospital.
>
>
>
> I continue to teach, visit mothers, run support groups, etc.  I retested
> again in 2006 without studying - because I'm using the test as a "gauge."
> As  long as I pass it without studying, and continue to attend conferences,
> read the JHL and Lactnet, keep on visiting moms and teaching - I think I
> can
> use the IBCLC.  When I can no longer pass it - I plan to retire!
>
>
>
> I love my profession - and hope this will be beyond my "retirement age" -
> I'll be 65 this year - but as they say - 60's are the old 50's!  <grin>
>
>
>
> I also want to be sure to provide appropriate care to moms .and testing is
> one way to let me know when to quit!  Of course I hope colleagues will be
> kind enough to let me know.
>
>
>
> Jeanette Panchula, BA-SW, RN, PHN, IBCLC
>
> Vacaville, CA
>
>
>
>
>
>
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