To Beth Lichy, looking for "hands-on" opportunities (& presumably hours of
practice towards IBCLC):
Try contacting your local WIC program - you may be able to become a peer
counselor, or work out some other opportunity with their breastfeeding
coordinator that would give you hours and experience with an IBCLC. You get
a pretty wide range of ages and stages, and see the basic BF concerns crop
up over and over again; not necessarily the in-depth problem-solving you
would get through a 1:1 private practice, but you sure can learn a lot about
working with low-income, low-education, very young, and women from many
countries and culture. And you will be welcomed and loved by the WIC staff,
as long as you are able to maintain a go-with-the-flow attitude. IMHO, not
the place for a "breast Nazi", but invaluable for widening perspective and
learning to work fast and to the needs of your client.
Cathy Bargar, RN, IBCLC (former WIC BF Coordinator, or "the breast lady", as
I was frequently referred to)

-----Original Message-----
From: Beth Lichy [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Monday, December 28, 1998 4:53 PM
Subject: LACTNET: IBCLC qualifications


    This is my first time posting to LACTNET.  I have learned a lot from all
of you during the past few months.  I've enjoyed reading the posts on
qualifications for IBCLC.  I have been a LLL Leader for over eight years and
have been seriously thinking of making the transition to IBCLC.  I have
confidence that I could pass the exam but I would like to increase my
hands-on
experience.  In the Greater Washington D.C. area, most if not all hospital-
bases LCs are nurses.  I have heard that one needs to be a nursing student
to
volunteer and observe rounds at the local hospital.  The local lactation
center charges for an internship.  Do any of you have any advice for
developing a "mentorship" with an IBCLC before taking the IBCLC exam?  I
don't
want to go to nursing school at this point, but I wonder if I could ever
find
a job other than private practice without my RN.
      I've done some home visits, but feel uncomfortable just "trying things
out" and feel it would be much more beneficial to have hands-on training
from
a qualified LC.  My sense is that as requirements for certification
increase,
LCs will also need RN certification.  I find that discouraging.
Beth Lichy