I agree - another lesser credential is needless and confusing to moms.  I
got into yet another discussion with a client the other day about what I am
as an IBCLC.  She told me of her first experience several years ago with her
doula who was a lactation consultant.  I asked her who that was (since I
know them all) and the name she gave was a doula I refer to, but I was very
clear with the mom that this person was NOT, absolutely NOT a lactation
consultant.  At the time, this gal was studying to get her CLE - I hope that
someday she goes on to get her IBCLC because I think she would be very good.
She even knows when to refer out for bf challenges that are above her
education and experience - she refers to me all the time.  :)

The General Public has NO REAL CLUE about the differences between a LLL,
CLE, CLC, CBC, IBCLC - or Jane Doe (with zero education) with a shingle
calling herself an LC.  This is SCARY.  Moms are unaware when they are
getting pathetic BF information, positioning information, latching
information and even medical information.  Someone calls themselves an LC
and mom thinks that person knows what they are doing.  

Try spending an hour with a couple who is pissed off and frustrated that the
person who was first helping them caused them so many problems with BF.  I
do this all the time - my job is often more about counseling and
re-educating my parents and more importantly - validating their anger and
frustration in a manner that maintains my professionalism when all I want to
do is rant and rave with them!  They know that what I am telling them makes
sense as it sits in their gut so much better than what the other person was
saying - but then they are angry, and rightfully so, that there is NO
STANDARD EDUCATION for Lactation Consultants - that there is NO formal
method of educating parents on who really is an IBCLC - that there are those
of us who specialize in various areas (like me - I now specialize with
babies who have mild to severe structural issues impacting breastfeeding)
but some who don't have a damn clue that a baby with a jaw that opens
lopsided is likely going to have a problem - that body work IS a good thing
for these kids (there are several in my surrounding areas who have given me
flack over the years for referring babies for body therapy to correct
structural issues).  

My list can go on and on...I know I am in good company here - I know many of
you deal with the same thing.  When will IBLCE get a clue and tighten up and
look into ways of educating the public about what we are and what we do?
When will our profession pull it all together so that EVERY SINGLE IBCLC
candidate has a basic education on structural issues that impact
breastfeeding as well as a basic education in all other areas of basic
breastfeeding issues?  A good LC, in my opinion, should be able to evaluate
a baby at least to the point of being able to say, the reason your baby
hurts you while BF when your latch and positioning is perfect is due to...
I just heard from a mom that an LC I worked with years ago spent 3 months
with her not knowing why the baby was hurting her - I saw her for 10 minutes
and figured that out.  Sent them to my Bowen Therapist and now they are BF
pain free.  Took 6 visits - something that would have taken 2-3 at most had
it been evaluated the first week or two.  Sorry - major pet peeve...

At any rate - a lesser credential is needless and in my opinion will cause
more confusion and irritation in the public - who already end up irritated
when they find out that so-and-so nurse who calls herself an LC really
isn't...

And, I thought we were done with this?  Was there another poll by IBLCE that
I missed?  I took the one a year or so back and said NO WAY to a lesser
credential...I thought it was off the table of discussion...what a mess.

Have a good day all...

Jaye Simpson, IBCLC, CIIM
Breastfeeding Network
Sacramento, CA
www.breastfeedingnetwork.net

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