The recent discussion on what IBCLCs do set me thinking.
Do I help the mother meet her goals?
Do I help her breastfeed?
Do I advocate for the baby?

Yes, to all of the above.
However, I see myself primarily as an educator who helps mothers
understand that they have many choices and teach her how they can
impact her, her child and her family. Unless she knows what her
choices are, she cannot make an informed decision. Once she has made a
decision, I support her, but I also stress that it is sometimes
possible to rethink it and change course. This is one of the reasons I
avoid asking women to lock themselves into the breast or bottle
dilemma. Where I live, very few women know anything about
breastfeeding before they have a baby, because all their friends and
family bottle feed. I find it much more productive to tell them that
all women have questions about breastfeeding and that I can help. This
opens the door, rather than shutting it. Sure enough, out come the *I
heard...* stuff and then we have a starting point.

So you could also say that I see myself as someone who empowers women :)

norma

Norma Ritter, IBCLC, RLC

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