Pat Young said: 

"I see a LE (CLC) as akin to the average LLLL.   Know the yellow and red
flags and know where to point mom to get the help she may need for a more
complex problem.  Then when you have been a LE (CLC) or LLLL for a long
time, take the exam and move up the ladder, if that is your goal. "

 

I agree.but there is a problem now!  With the requirements of college-level
courses, many LLL Leaders, especially from other countries, but even in the
US (where I've trained Peer Counselors in Spanish, but they cannot read and
pass the courses offered in local community colleges) are unable to take the
IBCLC exam (even if offered in their own language).  That means in the US we
will continue to be white and monolingual!

 

We are making the IBCLC, in my opinion, more like a Nurse Practitioner level
rather than equivalent to Speech, physical or occupational therapist - which
was what I thought we were aiming at.  A team of players to work WITH the
health care provider - not that we would be doing everything from
Craniosacral therapy to Nutritional supplementation recommendations.  

 

I totally support those IBCLCs who would like to become higher level
specialties - think that is great, and refer to them and their books and
studies often!  However,  requiring everyone at the entry-level of the IBCLC
to meet those requirements is leaving no one at the level that most mothers
need - assessment, information and education and referral if needed to
others.  

 

It also prevents many in the Native American,  African American and Hispanic
groups from ever getting ON the ladder to go UP!  I KNOW it has prevented
very experienced LLLLeaders in Latin America  to even try  - as they feel
this field is totally closed to them  - as it probably is to many others
such as those in Japan (as I learned in this years' ILCA Conference). 

 

Sorry.a real issue for me right now!

 

 

Jeanette Panchula, BSW, RN, PHN, IBCLC  

La Leche League Leader

Public Health Nurse (retired)

International Board Certified Lactation Consultant


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