Anyone training to be an IBCLC?

[TruthSweet]

Is anyone out there training to an IBCLC? I'm currently a BF peer supporter but would love to get more training and more knowledge. I always feel like I am just reading the first chapeter of a book - I want to read the whole thing!

Is IBCLC the way to go? Or is there an intermediate position between IBCLC and BFPS that doesn't involve me just claiming I'm a BF councilor and setting up business? I don't wish to charge, I want to carry on volunteering but with a better understanding of what's what.

You could train as a BF counsellor. LLL NCT and ABM all have programmes for volunteer training.

I'd quite like to do it but tried investigating the process and got confused. If you find out anything I'd love to hear. I had heard you have to have a lot of experience to be allowed to start the process but couldn't find out how you go about proving that.

The trouble with the NCT course is the weekends away as I have two bfing children. I can't be apart from them for so long nor could we afford for me to travel. A friend is doing the NCT course and it sounds like there is a lots of travelling and time away from home plus only the course is paid for by the NCT not travel expenses/childcare etc.

Have you ever attended LLL meetings? With ehm it is all done at your pace and babies/small cyhildren are welcome at workshops/training/etc. Might be worth checking out. I don't know about ABM though.

There are some LLL meetings in my county and I have been to a couple but it's over an hour on the bus. Sorry I'm shooting down every suggestion you make.

My main problems are I have 2 bfing children, I can't drive (have epilepsy), we don't have loads of spare cash to fund lots of travel/hotels/childcare/etc BUT I still want to do more than just be a BFPS. I'm probably hoping for the impossible but thanks for your help.

hmmm see i'd be able to give you a lift to horshamm LLL only i have not enough car seats...

in fact maybe you'd be interested in my plan?

i was going to train as an LLL leader and then start up a local group. we could do it together!

we just need to rid ourselves of one of the kids

Strap one on the roof

All I need to do is wait for DD2 to go to playschool in Jan or there's always the patio extension of my dreams ! Is the Horsham LLL a 'proper' meeting or is it a drop-in?

I'd love to start up a group in Crawley I'm just not sure how I could do both M2M and LLL (though different groups appeal to different people so there is always room for everyone)

Peppa - we are both rfing car seat nuts - it's got to be the patio or playschool for DD2. After her behaviour today I'm leaning towards the patio

it's a proper meet, next one is the 17th 10-12

now technically we could just take out ds1's highback booster and see if one of yours fits in the gap?

I could get the bus for that one. It's not too bad just to Horsham. It's the Washington ones that take a lifetime!

So strap the car seat on backwards

You could look at training with the ABM. It is primarily a postal course so suits people who can't get to study weekends.

www.abm.me.uk

yeah, used to take me about 40 mins to get to washington by car

I think it's unlikely you could be an IBCLC, sorry, TruthSweet. Before even studying to be one, you have to have ammassed 1000 hours in direct bf support.

That's gonna take a few years a a peer supporter.

The NCT course requires two weekends away over the course, which usually lasts about three years and there are (usually) monthly tutorials which may be near to you.

Tiktok - thanks for letting me know that. So is IBCLC a bit like a Masters (i.e. you need A-levels, then a Bachelors before you get to even study for it?). Would you need to be a midwife or a LLL Leader before studying for this qualification?

Sorry meant to say 'midwife or LLL Leader or similar before.....'

No, it's not like a Masters - there is no dissertation or dissecting of research. It's an exam, but you cannot register for it unless you already have lots of experience as a volunteer or healthcare professional in direct breastfeeding support. As I say, I think this is 1000 hours (but do check - maybe they have changed the requirements).

I know HCPs who are IBCLCs and also volunteer breastfeeding counsellors, but no peer supporters - the breastfeeding counsellors are very experienced already and have already spent years as bfcs.

If you google, you'll find out more.

Sorry I meant in the sense that in order to be accepted on a Masters course you would need a Bachelors first rather than just a GCSE.

Tiktok - I'm a gp and have been for 10 years and more. I do see mums ante and post natal including re bf but it's all a bit ad hoc. How best can I take my bf supporting to the next level? I'd be keen to be involved in educating other gps for a start as they mostly have no clue and the local bf rates are among the worst in the UK if not the world.

TruthSweet - the IBCLC is very practical. It requires experience and knowledge rather than academic qualifications - google is your friend :)

mollycuddles - I know of doctors in the US who are IBCLCs, and your doc qual would cut down the amount of hours you would need to sit the exam.

I suggest you get in touch with UNICEF Baby Friendly and ask them about their courses for HCPs, including HCP educators. They do exist.

Thanks tiktok. Bf locally is a disaster but would be good to try to change things.