This post was most recently updated on May 4th, 2022
OK, before we start, here’s a disclaimer: this is a rant. A rather personal one – although there are many people in the same situation and it does have ramifications for breastfeeding support in this country (UK). I’ll do my best not to come across as a moaning minny and to find the positives as I go along. I’m writing this to help others understand what a Board Certified Lactation Consultant is and the future of this title in the UK. I am not an IBCLC and I am not privy to the internal workings of the organisation, so, if I’ve made any mistakes or omissions, please do let me know.
So, what is a Lactation Consultant? More accurately titled an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, an IBCLC is the pinnacle of breastfeeding support qualifications available. According to the International Lactation Consultant Association,
“An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) is a health care professional who specializes in the clinical management of breastfeeding. An IBCLC is certified by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners®, Inc. under the direction of the US National Commission for Certifying Agencies. An IBCLC works in a wide variety of health care settings, including hospitals, pediatric offices, public health clinics, and private practice.”
Traditionally, IBCLCs came from a variety of backgrounds. Some were health professionals, such as nurses or midwives, who wished to further their breastfeeding support knowledge and skills. Many others, especially in the UK, came from our thriving lay support community. Breastfeeding Counsellors from ABM, LLL, BfN or NCT found it possible to become IBCLCs because they gained enough experience working with mothers and babies and it was recognised that the training and ongoing learning of a Breastfeeding Counsellor was adequate grounding to go on to become a Lactation Consultant.
Becoming an IBCLC has always meant proving your credentials in terms of lactation education, your hours of experience working with mothers and babies and then taking an exam. It’s not to be sneezed at and deserves its reputation as the gold standard in lactation qualifications.
But let’s look at this definition again – an IBCLC is a “health care professional” who specialises in the “clinical management” of breastfeeding. So there is an inherent difference between the roles of BFC and IBCLC. As a BFC, I provide emotional support, information, counselling and suggestions to a mother struggling with her breastfeeding relationship. I am definitely not a ‘Health Professional’.
To take my breastfeeding education to the next step and to gain a ‘gold standard’ qualification, apparently I have to become a Health Professional.
And this is is more than just name alone. The eligibilty criteria are set down by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Educators. Like the World Series in Baseball, ‘international’ appears, to all intents and purposes, to mean ‘America’. Not much notice seems to be taken of the difference around the world, in breastfeeding support or, in fact, the educational opportunities available – or how much that education might cost the candidate – and not just financially.
Here’s a list of the courses I would need to undertake. At the time of writing, we in the UK are still trying to ascertain whether all of these courses are actually available, whether the cost of them are within the budget of an ordinary person and whether the time scales involved would mean any of us non-Health Professionals could qualify as an IBCLC before we die – unless I had, for example, A Level Biology and did an BSc at university – which I didn’t.
- Biology
- Human Anatomy & Physiology
- Infant and Child Growth and Development
- Introduction to Clinical Research
- Nutrition
- Psychology or Counselling Skills or Communication
- Sociology or Cultural Sensitivity or Cultural Anthropology
- Basic Life Support
- Medical Documentation
- Medical Terminology
- Occupational Safety and Security for Health Professionals
- Professional Ethics for Health Professionals
- Universal Safety Precautions and Infection Control
So, I can see that I would want to have more education in some of these subjects before becoming an IBCLC. If I were a midwife, I would have verifiable qualifications and experience in numbers 1, 2, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13. BUT perhaps a midwife or a doctor wouldn’t have much learning or experience in number 5 and 6 or 7. I, however, have been studying, teaching and using number 6 & 7 for ten years as a Breastfeeding Counsellor (there’s a clue in that title…)
Thing is, it appears to the outsider that this counts for nothing. The message is that they don’t really want lay breastfeeding supporters to sit the exam. As far as they are concerned, if you can’t access the education, you can damn well BECOME a Health Professional in order to be eligible:
“You may be wondering where you can obtain the Health Sciences Education. Given that the IBCLC certification is international and that educational systems vary from country to country, there is no one easy answer to that question. In some countries, it may be necessary for you to enroll in a course of study that educates you in one of the Recognised Health Professions.”
So, I’m aware that I must sound very much like I’m stamping my foot and yelling, “it’s not fair” in a rather petulant voice. After all, it is up to IBCLE how they set their criteria. If they want all IBCLCs to be health professionals, then surely there’s good reason for that, I hear you ask.
Mmmm, well I’ve been thinking about that. Long. and. hard.
Fine. Then choose your pathways and stick to them. Applicants in Europe are bending over backwards to fulfil the criteria, only to be told at the eleventh hour that the rules have changed. And what are we saying about the kind of support that the VAST majority of woman need during their nursing journeys? And how much do we medicalise a normal function, such as human lactation, by making those who support it into medical practitioners?
IBCLCs do deal with the more complex problems, so I’m not saying they shouldn’t know more about the science and anatomy of lactation. My assertion is that I can achieve that without having to find those 13 courses (difficult) and pay for them (impossible).
And here’s where I stop being self-centred and start thinking about the future of the International Lactation Consultants Association. I see a future where there are only midwives and nurses in the organisation. No artists, musicians, poets. No poor women, few black woman, fewer single mothers, no tandem nursers, no grandmultips. No variety of personal experience. No variety of breastfeeding support experience! How many Health Professionals in this country have experience of working in drop-ins, breastfeeding helplines or women’s own homes?
The first and most important thing a breastfeeding mother needs is high quality listening and counselling skills – however medical her problem. And I’m sorry to say this but I just don’t see these qualities in many Health Professional IBCLCs.
When you put a qualification out of reach financially and practically you run the risk of throttling the profession. No new blood means things quickly whither and die.
The IBCLC qualification in the UK will just be another feather in the cap of those who work (or worked) within the NHS. Yet again, lay wisdom is downgraded, ignored and given low status.
IBCLCs coming in via the lay route have always brought such a wealth of experience, knowledge and wisdom. Not more or better wisdom than the health professionals, but different. And lovely. And necessary.
We don’t HAVE to dance to the American’s tune. Who fancies setting up a lactation education and accreditation body for the UK that results in an ability to work in private practice?
I think I’m happy as a Breastfeeding Counsellor and doula. Hoop jumping just doesn’t turn me on.
Update One
I wrote this post back in 2014 and I thought it warranted a little bit of a revisit and an update. So here we are in 2016 and not much has changed…BUT I must applaud the lactation consultant profession for at least embracing this issue and attempting to address it. There has been much talk about accessibility and inclusivity. Some lactation consultants have spoken out about the future of the profession if it is effectively closed to breastfeeding counsellors and the US-centric thinking that seems unable to understand that gaining the educational credentials in the UK and Europe is just not as simple as it is in America.
I’ve even seen evidence that people are beginning to understand that the professional opportunities for LCs here in the UK are so rare (unless you are willing the risk of going self-employed) that investing in training is beyond the capabilities of most ordinary people; student loans are not available for this unrecognised and unregulated course of study.
I have heard whispers of affordable, accessible online training courses. I really hope these rumours turn out to have some substance.
After all, if all our aims are the same: more IBCLCs, ideally many more working within the NHS so women can access them for free and those in private practice aren’t so overwhelmed they can’t give mums the time they need, we need more of EVERYONE to enter the profession – those from lay and health professional backgrounds – in order to meet the obvious demand. The Infant Feeding Coordinator role should be filled by an IBCLC in every hospital. There should be one in every GP surgery and midwife-led clinic and birth centre. We need at least one or two in every postnatal ward in the land to handle the more complex cases. Let’s face it, breastfeeding isn’t going to get any easier whilst birth intervention rates remain so stubbornly high, so we need infant feeding specialists on every damn street corner if we have any hope of supporting mums to reach their feeding goals.
So I await announcements of progress with baited breath. Parents deserve to be supported by people who look and sound like them and who are readily accessible. 125-odd LCs in the whole of England, Scotland and Wales is just not enough to tackle the momentous task we have ahead of us. Meanwhile, the unpaid, volunteer Counsellors and Peer Supporters are picking up the slack.
Lastly, I’d like to address a comment below. No, I don’t think the ‘soft skills’, the creative talents, the interpersonal skills so important to breastfeeding support are restricted only to lay people. I have the pleasure to know many wonderful IBCLCs who are, or have been, health professionals. But what I would say is that lay counsellors have had the luxury of being able to cultivate those skills with the time and focus that not working in the NHS affords them. So I stand by my assertion that it seems a shame for all that knowledge and skill to be barred from benefiting the art and science of lactation consultancy.
I’ll leave the last word to Alice Farrow, whose open letter to IBCLE eloquently sums up the barriers facing those of us in Europe who may aspire to become IBCLCs. If you are at all interested in this suject, I urge you to read it.
Alice Farrow’s Open Letter
Update Two
It’s now June 2018 and what’s changed? Well not much, really. I have recently been told that, with some digging, it is now possible to find the 14 Health Science courses IBCLE demand. It is estimated that the cost is coming in at around £2000. I’ll leave you to decide whether this is a step in the right direction towards accessibility and ultimately an increased diversity in the profession.
Update Three
May 2022 and I’ve been talking to IBCLCs who feel very lonely. For a qualification that holds itself up as the gold standard, I worry how they can prove that when there is no official system of mentoring, supervision or even emotional support for IBCLCs. There also appears to be no public support for the role of IBCLC on social media from the accrediting body. With so many charlatans and poorly equipped practitioners in the marketplace, charging parents a lot of money, it would seem obvious to me that part of the remit of IBCLE would be to protect, enhance and promote the IBCLC role. I don’t see any of that happening. Basically it seems to be ‘give us your money, take the exam, bugger off and recertify (and pay us more) every 5 years’.
Emma says
I love your thoughtful and well argued article. Valuing diversity in any professional role is hugely important and makes for a better service all round. By excluding “lay” people in the role of breastfeeding support, it is narrowing the quality and type of support available to mothers and their babies.
Karen says
I don’t want to be a health professional. I want to support normal breastfeeding mothers who don’t need the oversight of a health professional.
ann davis says
As a US La Leche League Leader, I agree with you. Especially since IBLCE came out of LLL Leaders, and it used to be that a lot of credit was given to LLL experience for clinical hours. But I don’t want to become a health professional to continue to do what I do now, and I don’t need to in order to help mothers. But, if I also want to expand the circle of problems I can address, the mothers I can help, or the settings I can work in, certification is what I would need, just because of how humans cotton on to those who have the right labels. A “health professional” label equals “expert” in many minds.
Imogen says
I am a NICU Nurse, IBCLC, mother of two exclusively breastfed children who has had experience “counselling” mothers in all environments paid: NHS & private & as a volunteer. I have encountered countless caring, compassionate, well informed “health profession” IBCLCs. We are not only our “Medical” title we are all the things you listed above, poet, artist, single mothers etc. You are not only what your job title labels you as. I appreciate your frustrations & I can’t say that I disagree but to claim that this is just another feather in our cap is for me not true. It has been a dream of mine to support, empower and help mothers and I felt that this path gives me the gold standard of knowledge & skills. After all are we not all there trying to help as best we can.
[email protected] says
Hear hear
Ellie says
Here here from me too – what an excellent response! As a midwife, general nurse, wife, mother, grandmother, friend, sister and aunt – my role in life is no different to the one you describe but I am also a health care professional with years of studying, several qualifications and 44 years of practise in all settings in both the NHS and overseas. Subject nos 5, 6 and 7 have all been important parts of my education and personal and professional experience as well as all the scientific ones you think are barely necessary. (They actually help to contextualise rather than medicalise your practise) We all have a role to play in the support and empowerment of women in childbearing and the nurturing of children and i also appreciate your frustrations, but please do not make the assumption that a health care professional will for some reason do it less well than you a lay person.
doulamaddie says
Thanks for you comment Ellie. I am sorry you misunderstand me, I would never say that education is unnecessary, or that health professionals make worse breastfeeding supporters than lay people! The issues here are accessibility and the resulting lack of diversity in the ibclc profession, and the assumption by those who run the profession that out is necessary to BECOME a health professional in order to practice as a lactation consultant. Experienced breastfeeding counsellors bring different things to the table and would contribute greatly to a team around the mother in complex cases and be able to work safely and effectively as lactation consultants. Expecting us to spend thousands, search for courses that often don’t even exist, do education and exams in a foreign language all in the context of a distant US centric authority that changed the goal posts frequently.
Women need to be supported by people from their own communities and we cannot reply on that diversity being provided by volunteers.
Anna Simpson says
Hear hear.
Denise says
I am totally with you here. I trained in the UK as a breastfeeding counsellor and have now moved to NZ. I was thinking of becoming an LC next, and 4 years ago my UK training covered nearly everything I needed (just an extra 120h of online training would have covered it), but then it all changed again, and now it’s that big long list of training you mention… 🙁 Very very frustrating. It IS a health profession qualification now and I think that means something hugely valuable will be lost. If you are not already some kind of health professional, then it is hugely expensive and time consuming to take all the extra courses – something I am not able to afford or do. Disappointing!
Stelios Papaventsis says
I am afraid I have to disagree. For me, things are simple: in an area of complete confusion for parents and lack of knowledge of health professionals, that is in breastfeeding and infant nutrition, having a worldwide common standard is good. For health professionals, a structured certification is ibclc, for lay persons there is a very good structured certification worldwide, the la Leche league. It doesnt have to be British and different, british people can be part of this world and if you find “American” things in it you can shape things from inside.
Stelios Papaventsis says
Stelios Papaventsis MBBS MRCPCH DCH
Nina Killen says
I agree with you Maddie – I have worked for two years in the NHS funded breastfeeding support service in my area and have built up a wealth of knowledge about the fundamentals of breastfeeding but also how to support women. I have looked into IBCLC and like you have come to the conclusion that It would be almost impossible to complete the necessary modules. I also wonder what IBCLC would lead to for me – do I want to work in hospitals as an infant feeding co-ordinator? Ime they do not do much hands-on support so probably not. You have really put into words here my thoughts – that it is a shame that more breastfeeding supporters can’t access this qualification and that they need to be healthcare professionals. Well done to all those who have achieved it though – I know there are lay people who have done it but also that they have changed the criteria recently.
PurpleIBCLC says
I think the point though Stelios is that IBCLC was initially a qualification for breastfeeding lay people that has kinda been hijacked by the health establishment? It’s a well recognised flaw that HP’s who work on wards can quickly accumulate “practice hours”. Similarly people far less qualified and experienced than Maddie seem to have appeared via a back door, going from peer supporter to LC in less time than it takes to be a BFC (I know numerous LC’s complained about this prior to the exam but were ignored). I actually think there are far more flaws than are highlighted in this piece. Practice in Europe and US is very different – and I can’t help but feel disillusioned of late…
PS Maddie as the term lactation consultant isn’t protected, anyone can use it anyway as you know 🙂
Mars Lord says
I hear you Maddie. Circumstances beyond my control meant that I could take the IBCLC a few years ago, which was the last one that ‘allowed’ lay people in. I had accumulated the hours, had my form signed off etc etc, then a personal, and unavoidable circumstance, got in the way. I couldn’t take the exam. And like that BOOM… no IBCLC for me. It would be next to impossible for me to get it now. I would have loved to have had it, but it does not stop me from supporting many women when and where I can.
Jo says
This is madness. I totally see why it is frustrating. And actually it is about access to breastfeeding support. There is absolutely a gap in the market if you like that experienced Breastfeeding Counsellors could easily fill if there was perhaps some kind of universal breastfeeding counsellor register or something that enables BFCs to work in private practice to support mums that want to breastfeed. Otherwise a huge skill base and wealth of experience is wasted as volunteer BFCs find that they have to focus on a paid career in something that they were perhaps originally trained in. Insane. Saying that, perhaps BFCs should just go for it. Working as a volunteer BFC is not worth nothing in professional terms, insurance is possible, in fact some volunteer BFCs do work privately already, particularly when teamed with an IBCLC. Some kind of register would make things easier for mums though.
GIsrael says
When did breastfeeding become a health science? For centuries women have been breastfeeding with the support of other women, namely midwives, mothers, neighbors. All pregnant women lactate, thanks to nature, but it often takes the encouragement of a caring woman for women to breastfeed their newborns. An IBCLC may have more hospital hours, but decide to breastfeed before ever setting foot in the hospital. Also, the vast majority of women need support after they have been discharged and gone home. If you look at the CDC’s mPINC report, you’ll see that the overwhelming majority of hospitals provide very little breastfeeding support to mothers when they return home. Moreover, most overwhelming refer breastfeeding mothers to WIC where they get support from breastfeeding staff. That’s because there aren’t enough IBCLCs to support breastfeeding mothers, especially when they are discharged. It’s during this time when most women get frustrated and stop breastfeeding.
The IBCLCs are attempting to monopolize breastfeeding just as the American Dietetic Association has cornered the nutrition expert industry. Their motivation may be the potential profits that can be earned from the insurance industry thanks to the Affordable Care Act. They are on the move attempting to get states to license them while excluding other expert professions such as certified lactation counselors. They did it in Rhode Island and tried to do so in GA. They also play on the words “counselor” and “consultants” so as to suggest that the two can not be the same when in fact a counselor can serve in the capacity of a consultant. This is what happened in Rhode Island where the CLC were eliminated because their handbook referred to them as counselors.
I am a health educator, not a breastfeeding professional, but I breastfed my child 3 years and I value the benefits. I strongly encourage women who want to join this profession to become a certified lactation counselor, which is recognized by the CDC. Then you should organize yourselves and seek licensure from your respective states.
Source. .http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/data/mpinc/data/2013/tables5_1b-5_2b.htm
angela says
I understand your frustration, and believe that many lay counsellors would make excellent IBCLCs, I also agree that requiring health professional qualifications can exclude valuable individuals from the profession. However I would like to highlight the variety within IBCLCs. I work in the community setting in the UK within the NHS (at present). My children were breastfed full term, though I never had the opportunity to tandem feed as I have large age gaps between my children. I work hard at my counselling and listening skills. You are correct that the majority of families with feeding issues require caring knowledgeable support. The IBCLC role comes into its own when families have complex feeding issues, and I value to opportunity to provide care in these circumstances.
Dana says
Thank you. I was an IBCLC without job prospects so I let it go. Now I’m in a position where I can use it and can’t or won’t pay the pay to recertify. Thank you for allowing me freedom to know that we can all help in different ways despite the letters behind our names.
Sara says
I’m a doula, thinking of becoming a breastfeeding counsellor. I was researching the better pathway to get some training when I came across with your article….Thank God! Thank you!!! Everything is so true! Yes I’m a black, south American homeschool mamma, with passion for so many things , including supporting childbearing women and families in my community, who would find difficult to afford a IBCLA qualification. I was chocked to find out about it! Your words are not only informative but also inspiring. Keep up with the good work 😉 Much love.
Maddie says
Im glad you found the article helpful Sara! Keep your fingers crossed – there are IBCLCs who are working to make the profession more accessible. Let’s hope they succeed!
Aline says
Your article is amazing and comprehensive and yet only scratches the surface of unaccessible ibclc accreditation is to us here in the uk.
I Do have a BSc but my degree is in psychology, which means i, like you, would have to fend for myself to find the remaining health subjects that were not covered in my degree.
Because im not a health professional (nurse, midwife dentist doctor etc) i am limited to pathway 3 that means that even if i magicaly managed to complete the heath subjects i am forced to complete 500h of supervised clinical practice that has to be signed off by an ibclc. In pathway 1 you need 1000h BUT they do not have to be supervised nor proved, you simply report them!
Now with 125 odd accredited consultants in the entire UK, you can imagine how easy it is to find one that is willing and able to spend 500h of her time with you. Thats not even the problem here (well it is one of them) but if in pathway 1 a heath professional does not have to go find the remaining health related courses that their degree does not cover (like psychology) and simply report they have covered 1000h of lactation support, why is it that in pathway 3 even with a bsc one still needs 500h supervision and another 8 odd courses??
Im all for high standards and indistry regulation but i managed to secure place in a MSC in health psychology that will lead me to a chartered status with the british psychological society with a fraction of the cost or effor that IBCLE imposes on prospective LCs. Thats just wrong.
Maddie McMahon says
Thanks for your comment Aline. Yes it does seem utterly flaberghasting that you can get an MSC more cheaply and easily than becoming an IBCLC! Given how utterly appalling our breastfeeding rates are in the UK, highlighted by the recent WBTi report, I think making bf education more accessible and sustainable is an urgent public health priority.
Rea says
I appreciate this article! I had my first daughter 7 months ago and found support for breastfeeding quite lacking when it came to hands on in the moment. I learned some things when I was pregnant but when baby was here it felt like everything I learned was blanked when I was put on the spot! I had 2 midwives present for my home birth and so they were able to give advice before leaving, but I had just been through an intense experience (!!) and awake for a long time so hardly able to take everything in. I have one flat/inverted nipple and thankfully was given a nipple shield by my midwife when she came back the next day. I didn’t get any information about weaning off of those or if I could use my non inverted nipple still…or would using the shields mean baby would get used to that on one side and need it for the other? I am grateful for them and just continued to use them for every feed until about 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding until one day it started to hurt using them so I stopped and she still latched… finally flat nipple and all she’s directly on both boobs shields free every feed. So happy.
Even with information it can still be less than easy to keep at it and feel confident. I wanted to be able to help other mamas out as a support and with breastfeeding so I looked at qualifications required just now but before going to their site I found your post very helpful. I didn’t realise the qualifications are so intensive. Yes it’s great to be informed and qualified but it is a shame that it’s such a challenge for the average compassionate mama/woman who just wants to be able to help others thrive in their breastfeeding journey receive hands on care… Unfortunately this IBCLC route is not meant for me! Especially as the time required to gain such qualifications and financially meet all the criteria, well to do so is damn near impossible as a new parent often, especially when practicing attachment parenting. I still would like to do this
eventually however now I know that a different route to IBCLC will be the way for me! Thank you for the article and all the replies!
Punam says
Hi Maddie,
I wanted to thank you for your detailed blog article about breastfeeding and the IBCLC qualifications.
I am a mum of two who needs to change career paths in order to be able to look after my children. So I’m looking into becoming a breastfeeding counsellor. I am so glad I came across your article, as I did not realise how difficult and costly this was going to be.
I was hoping for some advice from you if that’s ok? I wanted to ask your thoughts on training as a breast feeding counsellor and whether you think it’s something worth pursuing (in terms of actually being able to help other mums without the burden of the cost associated to become one). I have no health care professional background. Thanks for your time
doulamaddie says
Hi there. Breastfeeding counsellors always provide mums with support that is free at the point of contact and usually do not get paid for their services at all. This voluntary role takes about 18m part time study. You can train with one of 4 organisations in the uk, ABM, LLL, BFN and NCT. I have also written an article on this blog entitled The Who’s Who of Breastfeeding which might be helpful for you to read.
If you’re looking for a career change that involves supporting new parents, you could consider doula training. See my site developingdoulas.co.uk and doula.org.uk for more info.
Good luck!
[email protected] says
Really really interested to find out where the courses are from the June 18 update…even at a cost of £2k it’s less than having to do a degree!
doulamaddie says
Hi Fiona, I suggest joining this facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/wanttobeanibclc/ where you can ask specific questions.
Becky Young says
I hear you …. but I still think you should be one 🙂 How much you need? I’ll Crowdfund 🙂 xxx
Paula Grycz says
I came here for good news… I just started my research and I’m so, SO disappointed… 🙁 I want to work in a hospital. I want to work with women to help them reach their breastfeeding goals and make breastfeeding natural and just a happy experience… I want to get paid for my time… I don’t want to be a nurse. And I want to take place of that LC who said my babies latch LOOKED GOOD!
doulamaddie says
Don’t give up if it’s your dream. It is possible if you have some money and some science qualifications. There are some facebook groups that help people find the courses. Search for ‘I want to be an IBCLC’.
If you can’t or don’t want to, have you considered becoming a breastfeeding counsellor? Or if you want to be paid, a doula?
HS says
Don’t le tho. I’m just starting out and I’m a chartered accountant! Zero health profession background whatsoever. There are online courses and then there are discount vouchers that help make it super affordable. Drop me a line if you’re interested and I can walk you through it.
doulamaddie says
Thanks HS. Yes, I know that there has been various imporovements in accessibility of online courses since I wrote this article. The money needed is still prohibitive for many, and as there are no official university channels for becoming an IBCLC, there are no student loans available. In the UK there are very few jobs in the NHS for IBCLCs, so clawing back your investment depends on your success setting up a private practice. Can I ask how you are getting your face to face breastfeeding support hours in? It is interesting that someone without a background in breastfeeding support and a bit of money can tick the boxes, but people who have actually been working in this field for years, but in a voluntary capacity and therefore can’t afford the courses, can’t. Seems a bit topsy turvy to me!
Cat says
Hi HS ‘d love to know how you can do the online courses with discount vouchers. Trying to work out how to drop you a line.
Aaron Jaunty says
As a father of a 2 day old newborn, I really appreciate this article, rant or not. It’s important to establish care that can be offered to mum, versus tick boxing exercises that obstruct the betterment of the child. Wishing you all the best
Niki says
Wow I’ve just read through from the beginning and now I feel discouraged. I’m currently breastfeeding my third child and it’s a topic I’ve always felt very passionate about since becoming a mother. I’m not a health professional and the cost of all of this (money and time) is far too much for me personally. How sad because I am a highly motivated, dedicated person who would love to help other couples meet their breastfeeding goals. I’m wondering if breastfeeding counselling alone enables you to make ends meet? I’d love another update if you have the time.
doulamaddie says
Hi Niki, thanks for your comment. Yes, it is downheartening. However, there are various ways that people are offering breastfeeding support along with holistic support for new families – the most popular being becoming a doula. You could find out more about becoming a doula at doula.org.uk and developingdoulas.co.uk (full disclosure – I offer courses for people who would like to be doulas).
Becoming a Breastfeeding Counsellor is not a way to earn money. The support we offer is ALWAYS free at the point of contact. That means the families never pay. Some of us do earn a little bit from other sources – for example, NCT counsellors are paid to run antenatal sessions and some of us run charities that pay us sessional fees to run clinics and groups. But as the system stands now, becoming a BFC is not a career move, it’s a labour of love.
2020mum says
Hi doulamaddie – and other doulas, bf counsellors, mum-supporters out there. I’m writing as a first-time mum of an 8-month old, and I have huge sympathy with the points set out in these posts. Sadly, my own recent experience of both NHS and private IBCLC bf support has been appalling. The NHS Trust in my area is in very bad faith (claiming to support bf in its literature, but offering NO meaningful support either antenatally, in hospital, or postpartum). Meanwhile, the IBCLCs I have spoken with appear to operate according to quite rigid (I will go so far as to say narrow-minded) protocols and are therefore not effective at providing support in the proper sense. On the basis of my experience (and conversations with other mums), it seems the Americanisation of UK bf support is having a devastating effect on women and their babies. My last comment, then, is a plea: I am still struggling to find someone really experienced in bf support who can help answer some of my questions — can anyone help?