I generally read Lactnet from work but have signed in via Listserv from home
to check out the latest discussion on the SoP:
First of all: thank you, Lactnet List Moms! Those who called for us to
thank you are quite correct. We'd be lost without Lactnet.
Secondly, as to the whole "non-medically-trained LCs" issue. Being one of
those myself (LLL Leader-retired, BA in education) I feel strongly about
this topic. I always say that one of the beauties of this field is that you
can bring to it a variety of backgrounds, because so many different ones
relate! Nutrition relates. Psychology relates. Teaching, my own field?
Every single IBCLC is a teacher, whether you know it or not - you teach
breastfeeding. And I believe that our varied backgrounds enrich the entire
field, as well as give each of us a frame of reference for the work that we
do. That wouldn't work as an approach for a lot of other fields, but I
believe it works beautifully for ours.
Thirdly, if push comes to shove and IBLCE does not reverse this self-induced
act of professional suicide, I think I know what'll happen: we'll simply
reinvent the wheel. Someone with the brains God gave a bee will reinvent LC
certification by some other name. Some other group of individuals will get
together and do what it takes to offer bonafide board certification -
alternative board certification, one that does not come from IBLCE. One
that respects itself. I'll venture to say that, were things to go that far,
the many valid criticisms of IBLCE's current system of certification would
be taken into account and addressed by the new LC-certifying body.
I mean, why not? If memory serves, La Leche League Leaders practically
invented this profession. Does anyone honestly think we/they are simply
going to shrink quietly into the night, and watch yet another natural phase
of womanhood be taken over entirely by the western model of medicine? Like
childbirth? I don't think so.
Breastfeeding IS a womanly art, as La Leche League was astute enough to
teach us all. Quality, evidence-based, professional breastfeeding support
won't go away simply because one misguided organization lost its head. It
would take a while. And putting it together would take more brains than I
have, that's for sure. But would I sit for someone else's credentialed and
certified board exam?
You bet. In a New-York-minute.
One other reason why I think such a thing would happen is this:
breastfeeding promoters are an inherently rebellious class of people. I
always tell others that I'm teaching or mentoring up the ladder in this
field that if you get into breastfeeding as a profession then you are by
nature a rebel. You believe that the entire culture is wrong and YOU'RE
RIGHT. The whole planet could tell you that breastmilk is no better than
formula and you would confidently tell the entire planet that it's wrong.
In fact that's what you do every day.
And yet I'm supposed to believe that a field full of rebellious,
counter-cultural, "I defy you to tell me otherwise" women are going to
simply slip silently into submission?
No. I'm too much of a rebel for that :-)
Regina Roig Lane, BS IBCLC and Proud Rebel
Senior Rebel in charge of counter-cultural breastfeeding promotion ;-)
Miami-Dade County Health Dept WIC/Nutrition Breastfeeding Program
7785 NW 48 ST, Suite 300
Miami FL 33166
(786) 336-1333 x162
home email: [log in to unmask]
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