Karleen muses <<The comparisons between OTs and LCs about the level of education required by the two groups and the suggestion that to be recognised LCs need to go the same way made me wonder if it might be throwing the baby out with the bathwater. How many of the IBCLCs on this list became interested in breastfeeding after the birth of children?>> Karleen I think it comes down to what is your/our definition of lactation consultant. I see it as a health care professional who can assist with SPECIAL bf situations. I think someone else asks "do you enable lactation or support breastfeeding?" - I think I do both. But even though in my current job I see ALL the bf dyads, and support and encourage the normal ones and try to change the hosp culture to baby friendly, I think my most important job there is to be able to assist the ones with PROBLEMS, the "not normal" bf dyads. Gretchen says "If the LC field became so restrictive as to allow only those who entered via the professional medical field, I think we would lose some potentially wonderful practitioners who could add so much from their various perspectives." I agree. I don't think the LC needs to enter via the RN or OT or RD pathway, but I do think the Lc needs to have its own university program. I don't think you need a college degree to be a bf supporter, advocate, peer counselor, but I do think you need one to be a CONSULTANT. Now I have said a few years back that I never did like that term. It sounds like I'm an accountant or something. I suggested the term lacation therapist [LT] and I still like that better, or what about lactation practitioner? Laurie Wheeler, RN, MN, IBCLC Violet Louisiana, s.e. USA ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com *********************************************** The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html