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Subject:
From:
Jeanne Cygnus <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Sat, 5 Jul 2008 21:00:54 -0500
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Ok... I'll carefully zip up my flame-proof suit here, and interject a couple
of thoughts regarding Ilene's post excerpt below:

3.  Maybe we also need to ask ourselves more about our profession.   
Are we in it to make $$$ or to help babies receive
breastmilk as the optimal food for the health of an individual?  Sure  
it's nice if the two exist together but is there a
priority of one over the other.  Maybe a good handful of us would not  
be able to do this if it were strictly on a volunteer basis.  And of  
course then the value of our profession is questioned as well and  
with it our self esteem perhaps, as getting paid for what you know is  
how you may be valued on a social ladder.  But I was/am a LLL Leader  
long before I was
an LC and getting paid for what I know is somewhat of a side benefit  
albeit a very good side benefit, LOL.  I didn't get
"paid"(monetarily) for 13yrs before WIC employed me as an LC... it  
felt so good to be valued that way after being a volunteer for so  
long...and nice that I could do something I was GOOD at AND help  
support my family too.  BUT that is not
really why I'm an LC.  It all goes back to KNOWING that breastmilk is  
what babies need and helping mothers meet the needs of their babies  
in this manner changes the lives of that family forever.


This is not meant to be criticism of Ilene or the posting in any way- and
really has nothing to do with BRUS renting pumps... but as a professional LC
and a lactation clinic owner, I get very frustrated when the general public
has this view.   YES, I do what I do because I dearly love moms and
babies... and I will do whatever I can to help ensure that these dyads have
a wonderful breastfeeding relationship!  I would not work as hard as I do
every single day if this were not the case!  However, as a professional and
a business owner, I do need to make a living, cover the cost of my facility
(which in turn provides convenience and ease to the moms I help) and I also
deserve to be reimbursed for my time and energy away from MY family etc.
This does not negate my passion for what I do, but reflects what I feel is
reasonable compensation for the education and professional experience I
bring to the table.    Do we expect top-notch surgeons to perform surgery
for little or no compensation "for the love of healing"?  What about
doctors?  Physical Therapists?  Chiropractors?  Herbalists?    All of these
are professions that have required lots of specialized education... and I
expect to pay for this experience when I consult with any of them.  The fact
that they expect compensation in NO WAY belittles their caring or their
passion for what they do!   
There are many wonderful and knowledgeable volunteers out there, but we
cannot expect our profession to be a volunteer workforce.  I want our
profession to be recognized as worth the value we provide!

Again... this was not intended to be a flame.. so I apologize deeply in
advance if I've stepped on any toes...

Best wishes,
Jeanne Cygnus, IBCLC

Cygnus Lactation Services
Mundelein, IL, USA
www.CygnusLactation.com 




 

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