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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

"Best" IBCLC training?

139 replies

organiccarrotcake · 09/01/2011 22:41

I'm considering ABM and NCT but has anyone got any advice or experience at all?

Thanks :)

OP posts:
RubyBuckleberry · 11/01/2011 21:44

lots of info here

Original poster
organiccarrotcake · 11/01/2011 21:48

Cor this is complicated Grin

OP posts:
RubyBuckleberry · 11/01/2011 21:50

Both. Our PCT has one. Some charge for home visits etc.

gaelicsheep · 11/01/2011 21:52

I think, OCC, that being a BFC is kind of a pre-requisite to ever being a LC, but it seems like it might not be enough in the future because of the sheer number of hours of practice needed before you can take the exams. I reckon being a BFC would be quite enough for me, but it does seem that they could end up denying some very well qualified people the chance to do even more good.

gaelicsheep · 11/01/2011 21:53

If you're not already a health professional, I mean.

RubyBuckleberry · 11/01/2011 21:54

Good question about how to train as a LC. To get LC training, you need to get a LC to help you. There are some who run courses for potential LCs. There are examiners and coordinators... The coordinator for the UK used to work at the Chelsea and Westminster in London. She's left though. You have to get involved with these people as far as I can gather.

RubyBuckleberry · 11/01/2011 21:56

A BFC is not a prerequisite. Midwives, doctors, HVs, peer counselors in the field of breastfeeding support, are the ones that take the exam...

but yes, if you aren't one of these, then it is impossible i think.

Original poster
organiccarrotcake · 11/01/2011 22:01

Ahh so you need to have a wider medical knowledge to be a LC?

OP posts:
Original poster
organiccarrotcake · 11/01/2011 22:02

OK so back to the BFC then, what's everyone's opinion on ABM V NCT? There's a huge cost difference after all.

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gaelicsheep · 11/01/2011 22:03

What I meant, and tried to clarify Smile, was that if you're not a HCP I reckoned you'd have to be a BFC. I'm surprised that hours as a peer supporter would count - I thought they couldn't deal with anything more than straightforward support and encouragement? Or is that thing where the same title can apply to many different types of roles?

RubyBuckleberry · 11/01/2011 22:03

well... you have to study some in depth modules i think. but prior to engaging in all the study you can be a peer counsellor, and they don't have a wide medical knowledge necessarily. i understand the exam is pretty rigorous though. people do fail it.

gaelicsheep · 11/01/2011 22:05

I would also like an answer to OCC's question please! There don't seem to be many ABM people on MN though, or perhaps they just haven't said?

RubyBuckleberry · 11/01/2011 22:10

yeah sorry gaelic i got what you meant after i posted! hmm i have heard that peer counsellors have only a limited role but it seems that some have more responsibility than others. in the usa i think they are given quite a lot in the WIC programme - the point is that with their support bfing doesn't go wrong in the first place maybe and they can pick up problems that need an LC. I see exactly what you are saying though ConfusedConfused

gaelicsheep · 11/01/2011 22:10

FWIW, organic, I'm leaning towards the ABM. I think I'm going to do their Mother Supporter course (which is a prerequisite to the BFC anyway) and then decide what I want to do.

RubyBuckleberry · 11/01/2011 22:11

some professionals give peer counsellors more kudos than others too

NotQuiteCockney · 11/01/2011 22:13

BFCs tend to be volunteers - or at least not to be paid by the women they are helping. I know that in the BfN that is a rule really, I suspect it is in the NCT/LLL/ABM. LCs may well do volunteer work but they can also charge for their time.

LCs are more problem-solving oriented, I think - BFCs tend towards providing, as others have said, information and support, not advice. (Although the mothers seem to hink they've had advice.)

The BfN, iirc essentially split off from the NCT because of an argument about funding/advertising. Their courses are (from what I know) free, with creche provided, but you are required to help out on the phone line.

I think even IBCLCs are tied to an orgnisation of sorts - as they should be. Anyone providing any sort of help should be tied to a professional body of some sort, so that complaints/issues/etc can be properly handled.

If you are ever helping mothers one-to-one, having supervision (which I believe all the four organisations named provide) is essential. If a situation alarms or upsets you, it's vital to have someone you can seek help from.

Original poster
organiccarrotcake · 11/01/2011 22:22

Hmm, that makes sense. Much food for thought. I'm doing a peer supporter course now but everything I do makes me want to know more.

Grin @ falling out with the NCT. In the nicest possible way, and I have worked hard for them for 6 years, it's an odd organisation :)

I'm left wondering why anyone would pay the NCT - what - over 4 grand? - when it's so much cheaper or free elsewhere?

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gaelicsheep · 11/01/2011 22:28

Well I can say there is no way on this earth I would be paying 4 grand to train in order to volunteer. That's not me being stingy, it's that if I had 4 grand to spare I'd be spending it on installing central heating for my children. I can't imagine there are many (any) people who would do their course without near full grant funding. JJJ is right that the website is by no means clear about whether the course is or isn't funded. If it was funded for everyone, then they wouldn't mention the £4,400 figure presumably.

Bert2e · 11/01/2011 22:31

I can confirm that the NCT in this area will not accept a qualified BFC from one of the other 3 bf organisations in the UK to work with them on a formal basis even if there is no NCT BFC available.

TruthSweet · 11/01/2011 22:33

Gaelicsheep - I'm thinking of training with the ABM. I have applied to the bfc course but will probably have to retrain as a mother supporter as apparently my training as a LLLI peer supporter is too different to transfer on to the bfc course.

So if I get accepted on to the mother supporter course I will have to complete that, wait 6 months and then apply for the bfc course.

I think I may have put them off me by saying I still want to be involved with my original bfing support group even when I have completed my training. I don't want to screw my group over just because they don't have the ability to give me further training. There is no other local group even though I live in a town of 100K residents and a massive baby boom.

Still, no regrets.

Hope you find the right course for you Gaelic. How's Gaeliclamb by the way?

gaelicsheep · 11/01/2011 22:33

Why?

gaelicsheep · 11/01/2011 22:35

Sorry! The "why?" was to Bert2e!

gaelicsheep · 11/01/2011 22:37

See, I don't get this apparent competition between the organisations. I guess it's because they're all charities and in essence their competing for funding. But surely the issue at the heart of this is providing support for breastfeeding mothers - support that is desperately needed. Does it really matter which organisation originally trained somebody? Either all the course are equal or they're not. Since no one seems prepared to say they aren't I can only assume they are. In which case the quality of the support provided would be just as good, so why not pool resources?!

gaelicsheep · 11/01/2011 22:38

Dear God, they're competing

gaelicsheep · 11/01/2011 22:40

And for my fifth post in a row (a record, even for me), Gaeliclamb is doing fine thank you. She is as demanding as ever, I am getting barely any sleep, but she is adorable (which is why she isn't on Ebay yet).