Sassy - I have a concern about the "Ask the LC" forum...

[KerryS]

I noticed in the subheading, it says something about asking "certified lactation consultants" questions. However, there are at least a couple of the volunteers in that forum who are not certified lactation consultants. This concerns me both for liability for the site, and that as a professional, I feel it kind of "waters down" the certification and profession to call someone a certified lactation consultant when they're NOT, in fact, a certified lactation consultant.

Thoughts?

[Amy_G_]

Didn't we discuss this once before?
I think we never got an answer from Sassy about it.

I noticed several sessions with only a very few posts, do you think the ask an LC forum has lost it's oomph?

[still_me]

I noticed in the subheading, it says something about asking "certified lactation consultants" questions. However, there are at least a couple of the volunteers in that forum who are not certified lactation consultants. This concerns me both for liability for the site, and that as a professional, I feel it kind of "waters down" the certification and profession to call someone a certified lactation consultant when they're NOT, in fact, a certified lactation consultant.

Thoughts?


I agree strongly with the bolded part. I also feel that the people giving out answers should be screened first. IDK, if they are or not, but it doesn't seem like they are. Some of the information given isn't good as we all have seen.

Anyway, just because someone is a certified lactation consultant doesn't mean that they are good at what they do. I find it odd that it seems the only qualifications is certification or a back ground in helping a mom nurse. We all know a person can have degrees or whatever out the wazoo and still be bad at what they do.

[Meredith]

I thought that the forum was titled "Ask an LC or other Certified Birth Professional", or something of the sort, in order to avoid liability issues. Has it changed back?

[KerryS]

I forgot about the "certified birth professional" part. Be that as it may, are these women actually certified birth professionals, and why would a certified birth professional be qualified to answer technical breastfeeding questions?

[ima062002]

I forgot about the "certified birth professional" part. Be that as it may, are these women actually certified birth professionals, and why would a certified birth professional be qualified to answer technical breastfeeding questions?

I don't understand that at all. I think they all should be certified LC, IBCLC certified that is. I think that when moms come to the forum to ask an LC, they expect a professional in that specific area, and not say, a doula, or labor & delivery nurse to advise them.

[KerryS]

I agree.

Honestly, if admin wants people other than LCs answering questions, I don't have a problem with that, provided they're giving good information. But I think calling it the "ask the LC" forum is misleading. IMO, unless they're only going to have IBCLCs volunteering, they should call it "ask the breastfeeding experts" or something.

[Amy_G_]

I agree.

Honestly, if admin wants people other than LCs answering questions, I don't have a problem with that, provided they're giving good information. But I think calling it the "ask the LC" forum is misleading. IMO, unless they're only going to have IBCLCs volunteering, they should call it "ask the breastfeeding experts" or something.
I think of the people on the general board as kind of "breastfeeding experts" that aren't certified in any way but know a lot about breastfeeding.

I didn't think bf.com wanted the Ask an LC forum to be just ask any old person about breastfeeding. Without the IBCLC title, you don't know for sure what you are getting. Of course, we've had issues with IBCLC's giving insufficient or confusing advice too.

[JudyJudyJudy]

I don't like the way only one person can answer those questions. To me, the beauty of this site was being able to get different viewpoints on an issue.

[Amy_G_]

The title of the forum was changed,
but it's advertised as "ask an LC" still,
and the subtitle says
"Post your LC and CBE questions on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3-5 and 8-10 EST"
the subtitle doesn't mention other birth professionals.
I think the other birth professionals came about from a plan to get doulas and such on board giving advice. I'd prefer it to go back to ask an LC and stick with IBCLC. the generic title LC, doesn't have a standard definition. what about CBE, is that sufficient training?

[KerryS]

I don't like the way only one person can answer those questions. To me, the beauty of this site was being able to get different viewpoints on an issue.

WHenever I post an introductory post in there, I always refer women to the general breastfeeding forum. I can understand, though, why some women would want what they feel is an "expert" opinion or advice on something.

But I think that for the most part, they're going to get just as good, if not better, more thorough advice in the general bf forum.

[KerryS]

what about CBE, is that sufficient training?

Not to be called a lactation consultant.

[Amy_G_]

I don't like the way only one person can answer those questions. To me, the beauty of this site was being able to get different viewpoints on an issue.

unfortunately on the general breastfeeding board most posts get only 1 or 2 answers most days. an interesting topic, or one that the OP comes back and asks further questions can get more involved of course.

but yeah, ideally the LC could answer and someone else could weigh in and the LC could rebutt or fill in. It might get unweildy, but I think it would generate a LOT more hits to the forum with more give and take and fully understanding the answers given.

[Amy_G_]

Not to be called a lactation consultant.
yeah, not an LC althought that isn't really a well defined term as far as medical science is concerned, is it? In some states you can hang up a shingle that says you are a Lactation Consultant and that isn't regulated by the state is it?

If she's gonna keep the forum to breastfeeding questions only, then "ask the breastfeeding professional" as the forum title would allow IBCLC's and others with titles like CBE. In that instance, would CBE be sufficient training?

[KerryS]

I think that in any state, anyone can call oneself an LC. However, among IBCLCs it's pretty much agreed that only IBCLCs should be called LCs.

If she's gonna keep the forum to breastfeeding questions only, then "ask the breastfeeding professional" as the forum title would allow IBCLC's and others with titles like CBE. In that instance, would CBE be sufficient training?


Honestly, I don't care about the level of training, as long as the person is providing good information.

My main issue is calling the volunteers "certified LCs" when some of them are in fact NOT certified LCs. Or rather, calling it the "ask the LC" forum when we have people other than LCs answering the questions (and I simply don't think "childbirth educator" should be there at all because the questions being asked are lactation questions, not childbirth questions and an expertise in childbirth does not necessarily make one qualified to answer lactation questions).

[Amy_G_]

I was thinking CBE = Certified Breastfeeding educator

[KerryS]

Right, but they put "and other childbirth professionals..." in the title. I don't think that should be there for a forum dedicated to lactation questions.

[Amy_G_]

I was gonna type duh before my sentence too.
obviously the title CBE is NOT quite clear enough for all to understand what it is. right?

[Amy_G_]

And honestly I apologize for posting on your thread about this Kerry.
Because your concern may get overlooked as "that AmyG is complaining again. "

[JudyJudyJudy]

What is required for a person to become a CBE?

[KerryS]

I think it depends on where you get certified. Through CAPPA, not much, unless it's changed in the last five years (although I think that through CAPPA it's called CLE).

Here's a link to info on their program:

http://www.cappa.net/get-certified.php?lactation-educator

Here's another one:

http://www.lactation-consultant-services.com/breastfeeding_educator_program.htm

It seems to me like any person or organization can offer a class or one-day seminar and then give the title of "breastfeeding educator" after a person completes it. ALthough in that second link, it says that "certified breastfeeding educator" is a trademarked term and only their organization is able to bestow it.

[Amy_G_]

Certification as a breastfeeding educator provides an added credential, validating special knowledge and skills for employers, professional colleagues, and consumers. It communicates that the breastfeeding advocate has completed a comprehensive course and is prepared to assist breastfeeding families with normal lactation and with common breastfeeding challenges. The title "Certified Breastfeeding Educator™" is a trademarked title that can only be conferred by Lactation Consultant Services™.

The initial certification process includes:

1. Attendance and participation in the Breastfeeding Educator Program™
Attendance for three days of didactic instruction
Participation in small group activities within the Breastfeeding Educator Program™
2. Completion of clinical role play activities
Includes positioning, latch-on, functional assessment of the infant at breast, and oral discussion of the management of a selected breastfeeding challenge
3. Successful completion of a 50 item multiple-choice certification examination
Exam is based on the content of the Breastfeeding Educator Program™
(Passing score is 80%)

Participants are awarded a certificate documenting their successful completion of the certification process and will be entitled to use the designation Certified Breastfeeding Educator™. An optional certification pin is available from Lactation Consultant Services™ for $5.00. Certification is conferred by Lactation Consultant Services™ and is in effect for five years.

This is an optional certification. Participants receive continuing education units for the conference whether or not they complete the certification process.

[tata]

I think that for the most part, they're going to get just as good, if not better, more thorough advice in the general bf forum.
I agree with this.

When I came to this forum, it was for BFing advice and support. If I would've gotten an answer like some I've viewed in the "Ask an LC" forum, I speculate what the status of my success would've been. I'm inclined to think I benefited more from the "BTDT experts."

Which reminds me that I should really pop in over there more often to pay it forward.

[Sassafras]

I noticed in the subheading, it says something about asking "certified lactation consultants" questions. However, there are at least a couple of the volunteers in that forum who are not certified lactation consultants. This concerns me both for liability for the site, and that as a professional, I feel it kind of "waters down" the certification and profession to call someone a certified lactation consultant when they're NOT, in fact, a certified lactation consultant.

Thoughts?


The subtitle just says to
Post your LC and CBE questions on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3-5 and 8-10 EST

The title includes Ask a Certified Lactation Consultant or other Birth Related Professional

I have a couple of CBE's that wanted to be a part of the forum with a passion to help the moms here.

[ima062002]

Sassi, why would others than LCs be included? The CBEs and other birth related professionals can live out their passion to help the moms here by posting on the general boards.

IBLCE is working hard to create a standard for lactation help, and IMO it would make a lot of sense to promote this on this site as well.

[Amy_G_]

For years and years we've been telling women at Bf.com to only go to a lactation consultant if they have the title IBCLC. Any other title just doesn't have enough training to handle all sorts of breastfeeding issues.

You can get a CBE certificate in as little as 3 days, and an IBCLC title takes years and years of service hours and understanding of breastfeeding and passing a huge test. The CBE's could be giving advice every day on the General breastfeeding board if they really want to help.

If you only have CBE's and LC's the title of the forum should be "Ask a breastfeeding professional" however I'm not sure a CBE is actually a breastfeeding professional. They definitely aren't an "other birth related professional" either.

[KerryS]

I have a couple of CBE's that wanted to be a part of the forum with a passion to help the moms here.

I wish they would follow their passion by being regular posters on the general BF board. We can ALWAYS use more knowledgeable, passionate women there.

I think that if you are going to allow people who are not IBCLCs to post there, then you should allow ANYONE who has good knowledge and wants to post there. How about Ima, or 3girls, or NN or Amy G?

[Sassafras]

What I would really like is to have more IBCLC volunteers.
I need about 14 to do just one session a month excluding Kerry.
I love her on every Thursday as long as she will be so kind as to be in the forums.
I try to recruit IBCLC's every week.
If any of you can talk to your IBCLC or IBCLC friends, I would love to add them to the forum.
One session a month for 2 hours.

[KerryS]

Here's another thought - I notice that the early sessions get very little activity. Maybe cut back to just two sessions a week instead of four?

[Sassafras]

Or I was thinking one hour instead of two.

[KerryS]

Or I was thinking one hour instead of two.
You'd still need just as many volunteers, though. I was thinking of a way of cutting out sessions so that fewer volunteers were necessary. Maybe have one evening session per week and one afternoon session per week. Or, have three sessions/week instead of four, and add a morning session as well.

[Sassafras]

I am not sure why the forum is so slow. This time last year we were very busy on the forum. January and February are generally the slowest months on breastfeeding.com. I was looking forward to the increased activity for March but it really has not happened.

[Amy_G_]

It may be that with the economy, people don't have internet at home as much.
or it may be that the really short answers that some get on the ask an LC forum turned people off.

I would suggest getting rid of the time slots that have the least activity, but keep at least 1 morning time every 2-3 weeks. So every week you'd have the 2 evening slots (maybe it should be a little later in the evening to attract more people across the nation?) and once or twice a month you'd have a morning slot??

[Amy_G_]

Because of the potential liability of offering advice online without full information, you may be unable to get more IBCLC's on board.

or you may need to change the dynamics of the board so that people can post their questions any time, but the LC's answer only during certain time periods? or something to mix things up to get more activity.

[jessiehannan]

Because of the potential liability of offering advice online without full information, you may be unable to get more IBCLC's on board.

or you may need to change the dynamics of the board so that people can post their questions any time, but the LC's answer only during certain time periods? or something to mix things up to get more activity.


I think that this is a good idea. When I first came stumbling around this site, I happened upon the Ask a LC at the right time purely on chance.

[Sassafras]

Thanks for the suggestions

[tata]

you may need to change the dynamics of the board so that people can post their questions any time, but the LC's answer only during certain time periods? or something to mix things up to get more activity.

I think this a brilliant idea.

[Amy_G_]

I don't know if it's brilliant per se.

Maybe we should ask on the general board or on the ask an LC board itself if someone would prefer a particular time period or a revamp of how questions are asked and when they are answered. Maybe a poll for times would be helpful, since there are always people reading that forum even when it isn't opened.

I'm not certain Kerry's OP question was ever answered, was it?