Hello, 
I have been a member of Lactnet since the mid-90's but have posted rarely.  I hope that I did it correctly.  My remarks are to Maureen and many of the others who have expressed disappointment at the new requirements.  I, too , have made this journey.  After have been involved in breastfeeding for 20 years and not in the health care field I found the required hours for certification daunting.  I did not choose to be "grandfathered" in during the early years, even though I could have, based on my experience, because I was still very involved with my children.  As I decided to pursue a career I did become a RN, working with breastfeeding mothers but still felt that the hours to certify as an IBCLC were unrealistic and not wanting to say I worked with breastfeeding mothers for an entire 12 hour shift, when really maybe only a couple of hours were spent with bf moms.  I just didn't feel good about that--hence I have never became certified.  I have however attended many conferences, become a CLC through Healthy children, and stayed very informed in the field.  Do I regret my decision--sometimes.  However, I have a great job on a Mother -Baby unit , I work with bf mothers every shift as well as my family and their many friends that my children send to me.  At the end of the day, I know that I am doing something that I have been passionate about for 30 years now, and that I have helped many, many moms and babies.  I have made my peace with the situation.  I hope that maybe this will help some of the wonderful women who are struggling with these decisions.  God bless you all in your great efforts, I stand in awe of you everyday, but know that I am a small contributor to the effort to bless babies with mother's milk.  
Merilee 
 		 	   		  
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