In a message dated 4/18/2005 9:56:53 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
Nikki, Could you please clarify what you meant by your statement, "Accordin=
to the WHO, this course is equivalent in preparation to that of the
other=20
credentialed breastfeeding helpers: LLL, IBCLC, CLE, NMC, etc." Does
this=20
mean that the WHO thinks that it takes the same amount of effort, study
and=20
practice hours for all of these credentials? I haven't seen the WHO stateme=
nt,=20 so I want to be clear on this one.
Dear Colleagues:
The minimum preparation recommended by the WHO for all that work with
breastfeeding is an 18-hour course. I believe that all staff working in a
facility seeking to become Baby-Friendly must take an approved 18-hour course.
The next level of preparation is a 40-hour course. (Note that the IBLCE
requirement is now 45 hours.) All those graduates of 40+ hour courses are
considered to be at the same level of preparation for being certified to work
with most mothers and babies. Within this framework, the IBCLC, the CLC, the
CLE, the LLL are equivalent.
In the US, the IBCLC is taken as the standard for legal requirements of
practice.
(If one is talking about extensive clinical preparation, one has to
include the graduate of a baccalaureate program in lactation, of which there now
are several in the US. I wonder where a graduate of such a program fits in
this schema?)
As for many different certifications, there is already a model of
practice in other disciplines for those. (And I agree, a huge amount of confusion.)
Is one recommended to see a licensed dietician or a registered nutritionist?
Does one go to see a general practitioner, a medical resident, an attending,
or a board-certified practitioner for some medical condition? All are
licensed; all treat, and all have education and experience.
There are many ways to skin a cat.
Interestingly enough, the same is true in figure skating. My daughter
was a student of a Master-rated coach. This is the highest rating in the
Professional Skating Association. However, this coach is not able to teach skating
very well, despite all her hours of practice and clinical certifications. Our
present coach has the equivalent of a Masters' degree (from another country)
in teaching skating, and is a far better practitioner. Yet both are equally
trained and both have 40+ years of experience.
warmly,
Nikki Lee RN, MS, Mother of 2, IBCLC, CCE
Maternal-Child Adjunct Faculty Union Institute and University
Film Reviews Editor, Journal of Human Lactation
Support the WHO Code and the Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative
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