""I'm not losing sleep over a few people who inflate their credentials, as
long as nobody's actually getting hurt.""

 

I do sometimes lose sleep over this exact issue because people ARE being
hurt (sometimes profoundly hurt!) by those who are inflating their
credentials.  Myself and many others (especially in private practice - we
are such a dying breed!) clean up the train wrecks of those who are out
there acting as if they ARE Lactation Consultants and they are not only NOT
IBCLC's but they are NOT properly trained to do what they are trying to do.
I am talking about not only CLE's, CLC's and other BF helpers with training
in BASIC skills, but I am also talking about midwives and doula's and Drs
and such - these are all people who mean well and have good intentions.  BUT
- they are practicing way outside their SoP and education. They
inadvertently hurt mothers and babies and they definitely hurt our field.
And by the time the mothers find us - those who are actually properly
trained to help in the more complicated situations - they are exhausted, out
of money and sometimes out of hope.  They wonder why they should pay us
after paying some 'other LC' who couldn't figure out what the problem was
after 6 wks of 'trying'.  That is NOT OK in my book.

 

Talking about putting energy into other activities such as the Call to
Action 20 steps, etc, emergency preparedness etc. is great and I absolutely
and fully support that.  But we also need to look at helping to educate the
public as to the roles, SoP and place that each BF credential has.  This is
just as important in my book and in the books of many other professionals I
know.  If the public doesn't understand the difference between a CLE, CLC,
LLLL, BFUSA BC and IBCLC - whose fault is that?  When other credentials are
out there inflating their roles and stating they are the same as IBCLC and
we do nothing - how is this OK?  I personally feel that is it vitally
important that the public be aware of the various and wonderful support
systems that are out there for them, and that they know the difference
between the different credentials.  Going to a LLLL or Breastfeeding USA
Breastfeeding Counselor is perfect for a mom who just needs some basic
guidelines and support.  Going to them for significant breastfeeding
difficulties is not.  That is why the IBCLC is there - to handle the stuff
that is not basic.  We need ALL levels of breastfeeding support and care.  

 

BUT:

 

There is a little thing called Informed Consent.  It means something.   It
is important.  When WE IBCLC's clean up a disaster because some other care
provider didn't INFORM the mother that she was NOT an IBCLC and does not
have the appropriate training in how to handle that mom's particular set of
circumstances, then the mother did NOT have informed consent to choose
whether or not to trust that person 'helping' her.  Parents have the right
to know that the person they are seeking help from is properly qualified to
help them.  People won't go to a cardiologist for issues with their big toe.
They go to a podiatrist.   Why?  Because they KNOW the difference.

 

Warmly,

 

Jaye Simpson, CLC, IBCLC, CIIM, MoM

Breastfeeding Network

www.breastfeedingnetwork.net

 


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