Michelle, as usual, you make some excellent points, and I agree, that IBCLC's need more than just a HS educ. and the passing of the exam.  And all internships are NOT created equal! Some are appalling.  But as a LC in PP, I  don't think I need to take course work in many of those subject areas that are required for working in a hospital.  When I'm permitted to work in a medical setting, I'll be the first in line to get educated in those areas!  I do agree strongly, however,that decent counseling skills, teaching skills and child development are a must and I don't know how anyone does this work w/o tons of training in (at the very least) active listening.  Currently, those of us w/o nursing backgrounds bring a variety of skills and expertise to this field.  It is rich!  It will be a shame if we lose that.  My big beef is that the new requirements don't address the realities of private practice.   I don't think the members of IBLCE know what we DO every day!!

Oh, and like I said to my intern today..It would be different if it were possible for us to make a real living wage as PP LC's....  sigh.

BTW, I'm not implying that achieving IBCLC should necessarily be easy....  the passing score for the exam for example...We could set the bar a little higher.  :)

Such a great discussion and really unanswerable questions...

Renee Beebe, M.Ed., IBCLC

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