Frequently I see people posting lamenting the fact that we don't have
similar educational standards for our profession like there is for RNs, OTs,
PTs, etc.  This is very true, and we do need to keep working on this issue.
However, I feel it is not realistic to expect us to have full educational
tracks in place and widely available at this stage of our development.  Look
at the history of any of the other medically related professions and see
where they were when they were only 20 years old!  To expect the LC
profession to be right now where these other professions are right now is
unrealistic.  I forsee the time when one can get a degree in Lactation at a
number of educational institutions, go through a clinical or internship
period and then take an exam to be IBCLC.  This is where other professions
are at this time.  However, in the meantime, we are still exploring exactly
what is needed to become an effective LC and how to measure when one is able
to function in a fully professional capacity in this field.  I think we are
ahead of where many other professions were at age 20 and one would expect
that in our modern world with so many ways of instant communication and
access to information but we can't expect to be "there" yet.

 

Even when we have a track comparable to that of an MD, RN, OT, dietitian,
social worker or whatever, we will still have need to "police" our peers.
We all know of members of those professions that make us wonder how they
ever got certified (or liscensed or whatever).  I suspect we will always
have some of our own profession that make us cringe.  This in no way lessens
the need for us to continue to develop our standards and ways to be sure
they are followed.

 

I remember many years ago being at a meeting of our Division in LLL.  One
woman had a 2 year old who was large for his age.  As a result, others had
the tendency to expect his to behave like an older child.  Mom placed a note
on his back that said, in effect: "I may look older, but please understand I
am only 2 and will behave like a 2 year old."  Certainly, a 2 year old needs
guidance and help to keep maturing but we don't expect him to act like he's
6 or 7.  As a profession, maybe we are in the toddler stage-still growing
and learning.

 

Winnie


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