Dear Subscribers,

It can be distressing to hear about people who "practice" without the
necessary and required credential that many people work so hard for. A
person can only refer to themselves as an International Board Certified
Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) if she/he is currently certified. It's
equally distressing to witness an IBCLC offering  questionable/poor
advice.  Both of these examples reflect badly on the entire field and
are the basis for misrepresentation and need to be addressed.

The purpose of the The International Board of Lactation Consultant
Examiners (IBLCE) is to assist in the protection of health,
safety, and welfare of the public by establishing and enforcing
qualification of certification and for issuing voluntary credentials to
individuals who have attained those qualifications.

The IBLCE has a Code of Ethics and is issued to all IBCLCs. The IBLCE
has adopted this Code to apply to all individuals who hold the
credential of International Board Certified Lactation Consultant
(IBCLC). The IBLCE requires IBCLCs to practice and conduct themselves
within the standards and framework provided by the Code.

This Code of Ethics has been added to the IBLCE web-site.  The purpose
of this document is to provide guidance to lactation consultants in
their professional practice and conduct. These ethical principles guide
the profession and outline commitments and obligations of the lactation
consultant to self, client, society and the profession.

The entire document for the IBLCE Code of Ethics can be found at the
IBLCE site:  [log in to unmask]

Anyone who witnesses a violation of this Code should report fully, in
writing, the circumstances of the alleged violation, sign the document,
and send it to the:

Chair of the Discipline Committee
IBLCE
P.O. Box 2348
Falls Church, VA  22042-0348 USA

Please note that the person against whom the complaint is made will
receive a copy of the complaint, including the name of the complainant,
so that she/he may make an informed reply.

Please contact the IBLCE International Office at 1(703)560-7330 or via
the Internet: [log in to unmask]

Heidi S. Roibal, BS, IBLCE, LLLL

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