to all
        First question. Is Marsha Walker on the net or on email and would
someone have her email address? TIA.
        Second question or comment. For some time now I've read a lot of
posts concerning IBCLC qualifications. I've been an IBCLC for five years and
am having more trouble getting re-certified and trying to get the conference
hours than it took to qualify to write the exam. It was suggested by the
examiners that it woulld be easier and less expensive for me to just
re-write the exam. My family, work load, and proximity to conferences has
made it difficult to get the hours. But in re-writing the exam I do not feel
that I learn a lot more. I devour books and articles on breastfeeding and
the whole process of lactation and feel that I learn an awful lot in this
manner. I hope to make up the rest of my time and maybe its just a dream but
I want to go to the ILCA July Conference (I do have nightmares about getting
on all the wrong planes since I'm not a frequent flyer - only once in my
life and I'm from Canada).
        Standards in any organization are however very important but when I
heard that an instructor teaching a 20 hour breastfeeding course said that
she could fudge some of the student's hours so that after they had taken
this course, they'd be able to write the IBCLC exam without much hands on
experience, I get very angry. I'm not sure how much hands on experience she
even has herself.
        However in closing, no matter what our title is its the results that
count and after more than 18 years in the breastfeeding business I find the
best rewards are the moms that come back to you with 2d, 3d, 4th etc. babies
(not necessarily with problems, just to show off- and yes, even send their
children to me for breastfeeding advice for their grandchildren. Degrees and
exams are not nearly as satisfying. Oh yes! my other high comes when the
Doc's ask me questions or suggest that once I'm satisfied with the
breastfeeding episode a Mother can be discharged, even if it takes another
12 to 24 hours in hospital. We've come a long way. To all who are
discouraged keep on plodding and just fill your minds. Its whats inside that
counts.

Attie Sandink RN., IBCLC. (an ILCA conference wanna be)