Do midwifes have to have birthed children themselves and be female; do obstreticians? Do onocologists have to be cancer survivers? Sometimes ''been there, done that'' makes better HCPs, but not always so. 
I just had a male midwife in my LC class this academic year, and I think he will be a great lactation consultant. And I know another male LC who I do not refer clients to. But I also know female LCs with children of their own I don't refer to. I don't think that being or having been a breastfeeding mother makes automaticly for the better LC.

Warmly,
Gonneke, IBCLC in PP, former breastfeding mom, retired LLLL (which I find to be a favorable prerequisite for LCS!), LClecturer in southern Netherlands


--- On Tue, 7/6/10, Julia Augur <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

From: Julia Augur <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: [LACTNET] non-breastfeeding LCs/male LCs
To: [log in to unmask]
Date: Tuesday, July 6, 2010, 3:39 PM

Let me preface this by saying that it is only a question and I am not sharing my thoughts either way.

I wanted to know what you all think about Lactation Consultants who have never breastfed before? Do you think a LC who has never personally breastfed can be as effective a LC as one who has?

Also, I do not think there are any in existence (other than the one on "The Office"), but what would you all think about male LCs? 

I was thinking about this over the weekend because I know some LCs who have never breastfed, or have any children for that matter and I am interested on getting your thoughts.

Thanks!

Julia Augur IBCLC, RLC

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