Joanna, thank you for your very pertinant comments on IBCLC requirements.

I am *terrible* at taking exams. My mind goes completely blank and
the words on the page look like a Martian code. My hands are sweaty
and I only a triple dose of Immodium keeps me out of the bathroom
during the exam. I am really praying that there will be an alternative
by the time I have to recertify, because I don't want have to go through this again.

In addition, almost all the exams I took previously (in Britain)
required an essay, and I felt myself to be at a disadvantage because
I was not familiar with the multiple-choice format. I kept wanting to
write "#c, but...." Did anybody else have this dilemma? While I am sure
that it is easier to grade multiple choice questions, I have to wonder
if essay writing would not be a better vehicle of exhibiting a
candidate's depth of understanding. There is a vast difference in
asking, "Babies should first be put to the breast in A..B.. or C.."
instead of "Discuss the possible results of delayed breastfeeding after birth to both mother and baby."

As I understand it, (please correct me if I am wrong!) many of the
original applicants *were* predominantly drawn from the various
volunteer organizations, and were experienced counsellors. I would
like to see a lot more emphasis given (in the exam) to counselling
skills. The way in which we say things is just as important as what
we say.

Yes, I do do think that at least some of the current applicants are interested in the certification just as an addition to other skills.
While I was waiting in the lobby to take the exam last year, I heard
a number of candidates say that they were required to take the exam
by their employers, but that they themselves were not unduly concerned
about passing, since the agency would pay for them to take it again
next year. What kind of committment to  breastfeeding does this attitude demonstrate? Like many of you, I had to struggle to pay for every
credit I earned, and I must admit to feeling peeved that somebody who
had been *paid* to attend the Georgetown course and take the exam would place such little value on it's worth.

This post is *not* meant as a flame. There are many, many LCs who are
exemplary members of their profession, and whom I greatly admire. Our
aim should be to increase their numbers.


Norma Ritter, IBCLC
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