Do you have to be a midwife to be an Infant Feeding Coordinator?

[SunnySouth]

Just as the title really? I have seen jobs advertised and think it's something I would really enjoy. It is quite a change from what I do now but I already do lots of BF volunteer work so it would be a gradual change.

All the job specs I have seen appear to want a midwife. Does anyone know of an IFC who isn't a midwife?

Not exactly a feeding question I know but I thought I'd get more responses here than in Employment Issues.

Would be interested in this too sunnysouth.

I've been thinking for a while about training to be a bfc and whilst I would love to do it, I'm not sure I can justify not being paid (I haven't been in the paid workplace for quite a few years now).

I know one of the IFC at my local 'big' hospital was trained using a peer supporter course (she is an alumni of the course I trained on). I don't know what other qualifications she holds but I (as a patient) have had to correct information she has been giving out. She asked me where I got the information from as she had been taught XXX and she was LLL trained. Kellymom.com said I she's IBCLC and a LLL leader (as she hadn't heard of her). IFC came back later to say that yes I was correct [smug bfer irritating research nerd emoticon].

TruthSweet

Can't believe more people haven't heard of Kellymom tbh- it's the font of all knowledge.

I think yes, mainly midwives. Usually a band 7 or even 8, which is like the old 'sister'.

If you go to NHS jobs, you will see some examples lke this

Good luck if you decide to go for it - I'd prepare to be bombarded with policy and guideline management

Thanks for the replies!

I thought that Tree and wondered if it might be less rewarding. I've mostly been involved in mother to mother support in the community but I'm starting some volunteering work in the hospital next week so I'm hoping this will give me some insight into the policy type work.

Wow TruthSweet I am really surprised. I have looked into the IBCLC exams and thought you really had to know your stuff. I have seen LLL training materials and they really are very good. I guess you can't remember it all... Kellymom is pretty fab though. I don't imagine there will be a time when I know more than Kellymom!

they can be a lactation consultant on the ward - don't necessarily have to be a midwife i believe.

I know one who is a health visitor (also an NCT bfc too)

SunnySouth - it wasn't that she didn't remember what she was taught, it was that she wasn't updating her knowledge so wasn't prepared for changes in advice or guidance. She is very nice and supportive and we did have some great chats but I'm only a peer supporter not a IFC so I expected her to know all the latest info.

Oh and as a FYI you can be a lactation consultant as of today if you like, anyone can call themselves that and charge mums for advice. It's not a protected profession like doctor/midwife/physiotherapist/etc so you need no training or qualifications or updating. Hence CBC

No, you can be a lactation consultant and you have worked hard and trained properly and got the relevant qualification. Those other people like CBC or Geraldine Miskin call themselves baby feeding advisors et al.....they don't call themselves lactation consultants - it's joe public who doesn't know the difference.

a lactation consultant needs to constantly update their knowledge and have to re-sit the exam every 5 years

Here is the list of protected professions and lactation consultant isn't on that but it may be breastfeeding consultant or breastfeeding counsellor or lactation counsellor that anyone can call themselves. I am [blush[ing that I got it wrong

OK, so one quick question- could you train to be a breastfeeding counsellor and then set up as a private bfc (once you'd done your compulsory couple of years with the voluntary org)?

I'd imagine that you could crikeybadger but you would probably struggle to keep upto date if you were on your own but not doing CPD.

I know that the IBCLC is changing its entry requirements in year or so and only HCPs will be able to sit the exams. Perhaps then the name Lactation Consultant will become protected and people will look for membership before using someone for independent bf advice.

That's only a guess though

I always wonder how much work you'd get as a private bfc anyway? I never thought to contact one when I had feeding problems. I used MN, LLL, NCT helpline and a Bf group at a childrens centre. Lots of choice for free!

You would also need to arrange your own insurance etc which I imagine insurance companies might be a bit more wary if you were not affiliiated to a recognised organisation.

Good points Hulla and defyinggravity- thanks.