I guess, as usual, the question and the answers on this are going to apply
almost entirely to the United States of America (unless some Canadians chip
in), so I thought I would get in my opinion from afar. The association of
the IBCLC qualification and making money by selling products from companies
with an interest in the outcomes of women's infant feeding decisions is
likely to have an effect on the standing of the profession/qualification in
many countries. For example, here in the UK, IBCLC is new-ish, small, and
struggling for recognition -- most people who have it are health
professionals who use it in their paid jobs as midwives or health visitors,
but whose employers don't really recognise the qualification. Some others
are dedicated volunteer breastfeeding supporters who have the qualification
so that things like training health professionals is backed up by some
qualification.
Should you, the north Americans, wish to see this qualification gain
credibility in other countries/regions of the world, you need to consider
the climate. Aside from many other issues, in the UK we have one of the
four voluntary groups (the one I work for) which practices with a set of
guidance which would make it impossible to stock and sell stuff like that
being discussed. it breaches what we consider to be our absolute ethical
boundaries. That means that, should LCs try to increase their numbers in
the UK and if American practices came in, they would be practicing at an
ethically lower level than one bar set in this country already. (Mind you,
quite a few people practice at a level below this standard, I freely admit
-- professionals and volunteers).
I have quite a few reasons, some personal, some 'professional' why I have
never seriously considered taking the exam, and further, why I think the
IBCLC qualification in its current form is not a good idea for our country
(not that I have the power to stop it!). If anyone is serious about
extending the credibility of the qualification beyond the North American
shores, I suggest thinking about the ethical and practical concerns around
the globe when deciding how to practice. I guess ILCA attempts to do this,
in having representation from different global regions. If individuals are
serious about promoting the IBCLC qualification -- and I often see posts on
lactnet about this -- then you need to remember the international dimension,
and remember, too, that the US represents one very particular place on the
globe where the Code & Resolutions and other agreed ethical restraints are
most deeply forgotten and flouted.
Magda Sachs
Breastfeeding Supporter,
BfN, The Breastfeeding Network
http://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/
disclaimer: I am an American born and raised, but have lived in the UK
continuously since 1982
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