I appreciate Gonneke's comments and others concerned that the "art" of
lactation consulting [or whatever you want to call it] will be lost with
more "university" type educational preparation. I also appreciate Jean's
comments <<Common sense seems to evaporate with a bit of education>> snip
<<emphasis being placed on correct position and attachment, mothers are
often told that the latch is perfect and their ongoing nipple trauma simply
needs another ointment or more laser therapy.  How can we make our teaching
more meaningful and clear up the misunderstanding and many myths that
surround breastfeeding?  How can we achieve the change in attitude that is
maybe needed before changes in practice can occur?>>
Lactnuts, this is precisely why more education, a thorough one, is needed.
The whole immersion into breastfeeding and really getting the "feel" for
breastfeeding. I do not agree that a university based education will exclude
the counseling role, on the contrary, this can be taught. In my nursing
education, counseling and holistic health was very much emphasized, and our
program was criticized by other nurses in other programs that were more
procedure oriented. The other nurses came out of their program and had
started many more iv's and catheterized many more pts but had not had more
theory, physiology, counseling, public health expereinces, etc that we had.
Just more food for thought. And I must point out too that I'm coming from a
USA perspective where university, sub university and terms like that may not
have the same meaning as in other countries. I appreciate hearing all the
different perspectives. I do try to always keep an open mind.

Laurie Wheeler, RN, MN, IBCLC
Violet Louisiana, s.e. USA

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