Dear Jeannie Fisher, I really understand your sore spot. When I began studying credentialing in 1982 for LLL's Lactation Consultant Department project (which funded the formation of IBLCE), I quickly realized there was a lot more to it that I had ever dreamed. "LLL Leader" is a recognized credential in some areas (my state government included) because there are international standards, a mechanism to remove a truly impaired or dangerous individual, and insurance available. These are some of the "public protection" features that add credibility. Breastfeeding care (generic term) stems from 2 roots: mothers talking to mothers, and professionals studying how to help mothers. In the best of worlds, a whole team of providers is available to help a mother, depending on what her needs are. The most effective professional programs acknowledge that they learned lactation management from mothers - Dr. Naylor described Wellstart's early work with LLLI at the 1995 ILCA conference. Dr. Lawrence speaks highly of Dr. Edith Jackson, who learned from her rooming-project at Yale (1920's) where mothers talked to mothers and professionals learned from them. Credentials have value, and mothers talking to mothers have value. This is not an either-or situation. Each compliments (or should complement) the other, with the same end goal: helping mothers breastfeed. Please e-mail me privately if you want a long, long explanation of 15 years of investigation of this issue. Linda Smith, BSE, FACCE, IBCLC Dayton, OH