I want to add my two cents'worth to the comments about questionable motivation to sit the IBLCE exam. In my opinion, the IBLCE exam has been and continues to be the biggest motivator anyone ever invented to get large numbers of people to study breastfeeding and lactation in ways few bothered to do pre-1985. In some ways, this has been the major contribution the IBLCE exam has made to the breastfeeding scene. I have been around long enough to know that health professionals did not "study" this specialist aspect of their work before there was a piece of paper to go with it. And to be amazed at how many HPs are now born-again breastfeeding supporters. Don't ever give up hope about would-be IBCLCs who don't seem to care about breastfeeding. You underestimate our colleagues, the inspiring lactation educators; the wonderful texts we have nowdays; and the basic facts about breastfeeding that speak for themselves once someone tunes in. I have spoken with dozens of people who initially only wanted the "piece of paper" but felt they had to study because of the potential shame of failing. They got hooked, got interested, and before they knew it they were as pro-breastfeeding as the rest of us. Some of them started out believing they knew it all and then put off doing the exam for a year or two when they realised how much study they had ahead of them. Ros Escott IBLCE Regional Administrator (South Pacific and Asia)