Hi All! I've received so many requests for information on how I gained hours as a volunteer BF Specialist that I thought it a worthy topic to address to the lactnet list at large. This seems to be a current thread anyway, so I hope all find it appropriate to post. I approached my local hospital 3 years ago, and became friendly with the nurse manager for the OB/GYN unit. I filled her in on my long term goals for IBLCE, how I was then doing alot of self study at home. It just so happened that she offered me the opportunity to speak at prenatal classes on breastfeeding...that's how it all got started. When I spoke, I did a good job. I'm an enthusiastic speaker, and gave a good presentation. I asked the hospital for nothing, I even provided handouts and purchased charts, videos at my own expense. I felt that this was my "college education" and equivalent to purchasing books and tuition. Somehow, I can't remember how, WIC found out and then approached me to "help out" with their BF promotions, I began doing their BF support group in rotation with LLL leaders. It was apparent to me right from the start that this hospital needed someone dedicated to helping the moms. I guess you can say I'm bold. I arranged a meeting at my home with the WIC Director and the nurse manager to try to get a joint BF Promotion program going. To make a longer story short, I wrote to the nurse manager, had a couple more meetings with her letting her know how valuable my services would be as a volunteer (working primarily with low income population in this town, kind of WIC liasion) and basically pumped myself up. But I always gave a presented myself professionally, in dress, correspondence, etc. I was brought on board...what a great experience. I always backed up my work with the literature, etc. and became very respected. The BF support group, Nursing Mothers of Niagara became a branch off the volunteering. I could then see the mothers at the hospital too, and they could see each other! (I was already doing home visits and complete telephone follow-up, ad infinitum...I've been busy!) Although I purchase everything for the group, books, pamphlets, etc. the hospital provides the room and snacks. This too, I see as my "LC college education". I do all my own promo...meeting notices, brochures, newspaper ads, etc. I work in conjunction with local doc's by sending reports, etc. Another brainstorm I had back in 93' was to develop a prenatal bf questionnaire, whereby moms get assistance in prenatal period, at baby's birth (in person) and following with complete postpartum follow-up. I developed and implemented the questionnaire with the help of the nurse practitioner at a local OB/GYN's, she was very suportive. It's been in place ever since and I've been able to help many, many women and their babies. I've shared the questionnaire with others, including the local wic office and they find it helpful too. Assesses mom's current level of knowledge and support, her questions and needs, etc. Opened my rental station in 93 too, and added more private LC work in 95 when I completed the Breastfeeding SU.... Con........ LC course. The bottom line is I read, read, read, worked, worked worked with a fever. In question to what I've called myself, it's been "Breastfeeding Specialist". This is what the IBLCE suggested I might use when I placed a call to them. I also wrote a bf booklet for the hospital and now write a quarterly newsletter for nursing moms. No, I don't have insurace and I know that would bother many (including me sometimes), but as a volunteer I do fall under the hospital's blanket policy as I'm legit. NOthing is guaranteed, but I chart everything I do and apply all the couseling skills I learned in above mentioned course. I use a great contact management program which helps me keep track of contacts, pump rentals, etc. Sorry so long, I hope this helps! YOU CAN DO IT! Put yourself out, always in a professional manner. I also have had speaking engagements, even to nursing students. And I'm not from a medical background. Please feel free to e-mail me again or address on lactnet for further info. Warmly, Wendy Lee REddy