I think it is important for all of us to learn from and help each
other - whether we are IBCLC or not.  I do call myself an LC
because that is what I do - I consult in Lactation.  I have been
a "developing" LC (course work, professional organizations -
ILCA, WALC, Milwaukee area BF Coalition, WI State BF Coalition,
Central WI BF Coalition - conferences, self-study, master's
thesis, personal experience nursing 2 children, on-the-job
learning/training, etc.) since the late 1970s before there
was such a thing as IBCLC.  While I strongly support the IBCLC
process, it just doesn't work for me, at the current time.
Respectfully,  Theresa Gutsch, MS, RD, CLE

In addition to being an LC, I am also a registered dietitian and
therefore need to keep my state certification and RD
certification (75 clock hours in 5 yrs.) up to date... time and $
involved here.   While I find many CERPS at lactation programs
are also for RDs, this is not always the case.  By choice, I
choose to work part-time, while my children are still in school
(age 9 and 12).  Due to the nature of my part-time consulting
(consults with mothers and workshops to health professionals), my
hours and income varies considerably from year to year.

In my part of WI, IBCLC is not recognized.  Even if it was, it is
very difficult to get referrals because I am not part of the
hospital.  Even though they have no IBCLCs, they feel they can
handle all of their patients.  They rarely refer outside of their
own staff nurses.    Plus, I'm an RD, not an RN.  If I do get one
of our local hospital's patients, it's usually a mom at the end
of her rope, self-referring,.  ITS SO FRUSTRATING TRYING TO HELP
THEM 3 WEEKS DOWN THE ROAD!  The hospital is just as reluctant to
refer to LLL and the local leaders and myself are very
frustrated.  My referrals (sigh) come from other nearby towns
when a mother decides to go outside of this community to have her
baby and warrants further follow-up.  I've been trying for 3+
years to get in even part-time with a clinic or two around here.
While they are interested, they never come through with the $.
When I lived in the Milwaukee area, I had a much more lucrative
practice, because it is a more progressive area and I think
because there is more competition.

Because of all of this, I simply do not have the financial
resources to complete the exam, the CERPS, the re-exam after 10
years, etc.  Just because I do not participate, however, does not
mean I am not keeping up to date with the conferences that I am
able to attend, journals, my own literature searches, etc.  I was
able to complete the UCLA CLE course (and homework!) to become a
CLE.  The IBCLCs in WI have been very congenial and supportive
even though I have not participated in the IBCLC process.  One
IBCLC and I did a joint workshop at our WI Assoc. of Perinatal
Care state conference.  I understand and appreciate the
difference between the CLE and the IBCLC, but for me, right now,
I just can't justify the cost of the IBCLC process.  Perhaps, if
I wanted and acquired a more full-time position, I could get some
backing from my employer.   Unfortunately, however, the IBCLC
isn't recognized in my part of the state - yet.  I admire all of
you out there who are in very part-time positions and/or
unsupported by your employers who are going ahead with IBCLC
anyway.  You have more moxie than I do.

My dream is to do LC work full time after my kids are grown.
Maybe by then all of our hard work in the profession will make
IBCLC more desired and recognized up here.  Maybe then, I can
complete the exam - that's really all I'm missing per the
checklist I received from the board.  In the meantime - let's all
keep working together to make changes in the field.  Lets learn
from and help each other for the benefit of all those mom's out
there.  End soapbox!  Thanks for "listening" :-).  Theresa
Gutsch, MS, RD, CL