I number of years ago, I attended the wonderful CLC certification course with Healthy Children's Center for Breastfeeding. This extremely interesting course was inspiring! I became certain that I wanted to become an IBCLC and I spent about two years trying to figure out the best "Route to Certification" for me. Unfortunatley, I am not a health professional, so I considered returning to nursing school. I also considered the other routes to become an IBCLC. Ultimately, I had to let go of this dream. The road was too long. I am a single parent of a 3 year-old and, realistically, I don't have the resources to complete all of the required coursework. 

My question now is: How can I offer help to mothers? I realize that a breastfeeding mother needs an IBCLC (and in some cases an RN/IBCLC) to provide advice in and out of the hospital setting. But surely there is a place for someone like me who wants to help mothers whose situation is not complex but who may be struggling with breastfeeding. 

I looked into becoming a Peer Counselor with WIC, but I do not qualify. Here in Texas, you have to have used WIC services in order to become a peer counselor. Another option for me might be to become a Leader with La Leche League. 

I would love to hear some advice on how I might move forward. Are there any other venues for me. I don't want to let this dream go even though becoming an IBCLC is out-of-reach for me.

Thanks all!!
-Heather

             ***********************************************

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome