I think that LC, like BC, can  be used by anyone who is advertising her services as a counselor of breastfeeding.    The initials do not carry any indication or promise of education or experience level.  Yet many many people practice with only these designations, having major skills.  Unfortunately, there are also many who call themselves LC with minimal background, and the BUYER BEWARE.

People who have done additional course work, satisfying requirements for certification in this area, get to put a "C" in front of their LC.  This certification carries and implication and promise that a person has had coursework, and possibly supervised practice, in current literature and practice, from an  accrditing agency.

And finally, the IBCLC is the greatest promise to clients of one's being current in literature and practice, as well as a promise of many hours of experience.


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From:   Moshe and Susan Srebrnik[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
Sent:   Saturday, January 03, 1998 10:57 AM
Subject:        LC titles

This is a tough one.  I think it's time ILCA settled on some guidelines
for LC titles.  I would suggest:

BC (breastfeeding counselor) for a "lay" counselor such as LLL or
International Childbirth Organizations.

CBC (certified breastfeeding counselor) for grads of a recognised
breastfeeding course - in hospitals or from a school such as BSC.

LC (lactation consultant) - a grad of a recognised program of so many
hours (let's say one year course minimum) and who has passed the
examinations and requirements of that course.

IBCLC - a certified lactation consultant who has passed the Boards and
has the required amount of educational and practice hours.

I'd get rid of the other titles because they are too confusing.
What do you all think?

Susan Nachman-Srebrnik, IBCLC
Ranana, Israel