Our experience and clinical competence, we acquired it in association.

The most competent IBCLCs are those who have gained their experience and expertise by acting for years, within associations dedicated to breastfeeding, before certifying, and who continue their support in association and/or in private practice.

They are the best!

This clinical experience of the “old ones who have made their mark in association” has been forged by years of practice, representing several hours of support per day, with a diversity of situations and ages, which has allowed us to cover a wide range of situations in accordance with IBLCE recommendations, and has allowed us to develop a vast field of expertise even before certifying.

By maintaining our commitment within associations dedicated to breastfeeding or in the context of private practice, which represents several hours of breastfeeding support per day (!), we are constantly accumulating support hours, exposed to a diversity of situations and ages and increasingly complex cases. This experience allows us to reach the 250 hours of breastfeeding support in just a few months. This speed contrasts sharply with the 250 hours required over a 5-year period by the IBLCE for recertification. This requirement was introduced since certification is reserved for health professionals, in order to facilitate their recertification. However, accumulating 250 hours of contact with breastfeeding mothers over 5 years cannot equate to the expertise and continuous experience that we (in/from association and/or private practice) develop quickly. This decision by the IBLCE was influenced, among other things, by the abrupt closure of the profession for mothers in 2011. It clearly highlights the differences between experienced IBCLCs, particularly those who have worked within associations, and health professionals. These distinctions are mathematically obvious.

A relevant analogy can be made with the announced closure of maternity wards performing less than 1000 births per year. This decision is motivated by the fact that a limited frequency of deliveries does not allow the same experience and competence to be acquired as in larger establishments. It is important to underline that this does not call into question the skills of health professionals in these small maternity wards, but it was judged that several deliveries per day were needed to continue to gain experience and ensure the safety of mothers and infants. Personally, I report a fact, I never said that I validated it. One can understand this desire for safety. One can also reflect on the many risks of the baby factory and the enormous distance between home and maternity that will result, as well as reflect on the fact that, few deliveries per day=a more available and happier staff to be available…

In private practice, there are bills; perhaps by grouping together, some mutual insurance companies, taking into account the costs of health care for children who are not breastfed, or little breastfed, or breastfed for a short time, will see a financial advantage in covering consultations, including by non-midwife actors.

Credit images: Breast Feeding Vectors by Vecteezy

The second image, blue drawing on a white background, is the good plan for a bad latch and for cracks, sore nipples and milk insufficiencies!