Hi Nicki,
Although I do want to become an IBCLC within the next several years,
and I did become a LLL Leader to further that goal (of course also to
help women and all that goes with that!), I decided that I wanted to
get a CLE certificate as well.
I didn't choose CAPPA's program because their program isn't currently
AARC (Accreditation and Approval Review Committee of ILCA) approved,
and therefore doesn't "count" towards fulfilling "Education in Human
Lactation and Breastfeeding" hours needed under the IBCLE's Pathway 1
& 3, and likely 2 also, to take the IBCLE's exam.
<http://americas.iblce.org/eligibilityRequirements_v2.php>
I chose a program that would kill two birds, so to speak. I went with
UCSD's program because it is AARC approved--see here:
<http://www.ilca.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3309>
Now that might not make two beans difference to you if you definitely
don't want to become an IBCLC, but it would certainly be wasting money
were you to change your mind in a few years. :-)
I'm enjoying Gini's course. Her website is helpful also:
http://www.breastfeeding-education.com/
Of course it is limited to information about classes that she
currently teaches, but it still gave me a helping start.
Info on UCSD's ONLINE lactation educator class can be found here:
<http://extension.ucsd.edu/studyarea/index.cfm?vCourse=RMED-4V014>
Hope that helps!
Good luck choosing :-)
Alysha Jones
Mama to Emmalee 18 month old nursing champion and detester of almost
all other foods...
Loving the warm weather in the Azores today!
>>Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2009 14:58:19 -0700
>>From: Nicki Heskin <[log in to unmask]>
>>Subject: Re: CAPPA Lactation Educator Program
>>
>>Liz,
>>
>>It's not that I have anything against the IBCLC (although it's worth noting
>>that for me, breastfeeding was saved by two very amazing CLCs). But I want
>>to do more general parent education... Being an LC doing 1-on-1 would not be
>>my ultimate career goal. But I feel that breastfeeding is an essential
>>piece of any new parent education. And while I do that already to some
>>extent through my writing, I am VERY cautious about being sure not to give
>>any medical advice or diagnosis and referring to the need for lactional or
>>medical professionals (plus a hefty and specific disclaimer) on any writing
>>about actual health or breastfeeding issues (as opposed to non-medical stuff
>>like product reviews or commentaries).
>>
>>But I feel that because breastfeeding is a little different than an issue
>>like sleep methods or discipline, where my learned opinion is just as valid
>>as any other "expert," I feel that breastfeeding is another story. And
>>while I have lots of anecdotal experience, there is just a baseline level of
>>training and knowledge where I may have holes, or need formal training to be
>>able to really consider myself qualified to be "officially" helping others.
>>For example, I have been asked to facilitate new mom attachement parenting
>>sort of support groups in an AP-oriented shop in our area. The LCs I went
>>to did this and it was an incredible support system for me, and I'd love to
>>provide that for others. But the big difference is that they were CLCs and
>>I am not. For sleep or baby products or swaddling or whatever else, I'm
>>perfectly comfortable with my knowledge base and "credentials" but for
>>breastfeeding, I want something more there, for my participants' protection
>>as well as my own liability.
>>
>>Perhaps someday I'd be interested in the IBCBC, and I want to look into
>>whether I need to be tracking hours in case I might someday want to apply
>>them (I think you can do that, right?), but for now, it is such a HUGE
>>undertaking, it's really a whole career move, and not only do I not want to
>>commit to that right now with young children, but I don't really want to put
>>all my eggs in the breastfeeding basket, so to speak.
>>
>>The CLE seems like exactly the right nugget of what I feel I need or might
>>be lacking. I may learn tons I don't know, or I may find I know more than I
>>think I do, but have some gaps or holes filled in. But either way, I think
>>an "real" certification in this area is worthy. I did attend several LLL
>>meetings to consider going the leader route, but since LLL was not my
>>personal path, it didn't feel like an authentic fit for me. I also worried
>>a bit out having my hands tied in my own personal writing and teaching by
>>being bound by the LLL official stances because of their liability insurance
>>tie in. I don't always agree with them on every little point and want the
>>freedom to say so. That said, I think they are in incredible organization.
>>
>>So... I am just about ready to jump in to the CAPPA program before the end
>>of the year, but I just wanted to get some impressions (to turn the question
>>back on you) about how their certification is regarded in the larger
>>lactation field (I had asked my midwife some time ago when I first
>>considered this if she would write one of my recs, and she mentioned that
>>she thought it was looked down upon by IBCLCs as presumpuous and amateur and
>>a little insulting to them that CLEs would feel they can do so much of what
>>*they* do with so much less training). I wondered if that was true. And I
>>was hoping to hear from some who had been through the program just to make
>>sure it wasn't secretly awful (did hear from one CLE already with positive
>>feedback.. Thanks for that!).
>>
>>Hope that answers your question.. Probably more than you want. I am happy
>>to be doing something though.. I feel pretty outclassed on this loop! :-)
>>You ladies are amazing!
>>
>>Nicki :-)
>
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