I want to publicly thank Jeanette Panchula for her courageous and
insightful post on the difference between Volunteer Peer support and
Professional Lactation Consulting.  I also started out in this
profession as a La Leche League Leader, and it took me several years to
seperate and delineate the two roles.  I think things are a little
easier now, mostly because the public is becoming educated and are
usually asking for the level of support that they need.  When I was
first Board certified 10 years ago, one had to tell mothers what
lactation consultants did, and many were surprised to know there was a
fee for services.  Now women seem to understand how I work before they
call.  The newest trend is women getting in contact with LC's during
their third trimester, to "touch base" and assure themselves that there
will be help available should they need it.  I applaud this trend,
because it means the mom gets help more quickly should she need it.
It's neat to watch ourselves develop this profession, and I think we
need to take Jeanette's words to heart to continue on the right path.
--
Catherine Watson Genna, IBCLC  New York City  mailto:[log in to unmask]

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