Patrica Young wrote:
>
> I don't know how you can
> call yourself an LC if you don't read each issue of JHL front to back!
> And how can you be an LC and not attend local chapter meetings, state and
> national meetings and educational offerings?

Dear Patricia:

I call myself an LC because I'm entitled to that distinction. I became
certified to become more credible to the medical community because I
felt I could do more good running interference for my families with
these elite credentials. Certified nurse-midwifery is not well respected
in this state, so I opted to add some "alphabet soup" behind my name to
help my families.  I only do 5-10% lactation work(directly with BF
families). The rest of my work is nurse-midwifery.  I spend my limited
educational time/money on whatever is pertainent to my career. This year
it happens to be a BF conference. My political $ go for what puts the
bread on our table.....nurse-midwifery issues. But, I do call myself a
lactation consultant and I am pleased to be one. Not being an ILCA
member does not detract from that one iota.

Bari Creager,CNM/IBCLC
College Station, TX