Frustrated.. How can I become a Free-LC?

[xekomaya]

I found out today that my friend's little sister gave up on nursing her baby. She's young, still in school, living with and getting help from her family. Apparently the baby couldn't latch at birth and the only LC they knew about charged 175$ and they had to drive to her house. Her mom basically said it was too expensive and I'm sure she doesn't have much money of her own right now so.. she just gave up.

It's hard to find words to describe how profoundly this is affecting me. I'm mouring her loss as if it were my own. I feel like a total failure as a mom and a woman if I can't even help the people around me. Granted, I haven't seen her in a long time -- I can hardly picture her without her 3rd grade uniform & brownie's sash, but she still feels like my little sister.

So my question really is, what can I really do to help other women in a significant way. I keep thinking that if I were an LC maybe they would have called me. Maybe if other people knew I could help, or wanted to help, they would reach out to me instead of feeling quite so alone. I have all of MDC and breastfeeding still threw me for a loop so I can only imagine what it might be like with little information and no support.

I'm joining LLL, I think that's a given. I've been looking at the IBLCE exam/requirements and it looks pretty intense for what I'm thinking. I would love to go through some sort of training to be able to offer actual help, but I don't need to be the best or have all the answers. I would have no intention of charging people, I just want to be able to help people who need me.

Any suggestions? Ways to let family and friends know you'd be happy to help any nursing mother they come across? Training or classes that would make me useful in such situations? I don't mind spending a little money, but this won't be a career, and it has to fit a busy schedule. Does such a thing exist?

[FullMetalMom]

And just think, $175 is much less than it's going to cost them in formula. . .

[xekomaya]

I was thinking the same thing - how fast must $175 go? A couple months?

[elizaMM]

I totally know how you feel.

You sound like you need to become a La Leache League Leader!!

And/or, become a Certified Lactation Consultant (less intense than IBCLC). Not sure how. Google it.

Unfortunately, we also need to fight fight fight to normalize breastfeeding so that people will even CALL a Leader :-( But I'm sure it could get you in to hospitals so you can provide outreach materials etc. and give you legitimacy running a booth at fairs etc. I really need to become one too...

[Lil'M]

Is she on WIC in NJ? AFAIK, most WIC offices in NJ have lactation consultants clients can see for free. Its too bad she didn't get the support she needed

[Bellejar]

There have to be grants out there for postnatal health of infants - you should nose around and start the nonprofit if it doesn't exist.

[smanore]

Maybe it depends on where she lives, but $175 would never fly around here -ever. Plus traveling to the LCs home. It just doesn't sound realistic to me. I'm sure there are other LCs near her. If it hasn't been long since she quit, she could always consider giving breastfeeding a second try. You could look for the name of LLL Leaders near her by going to www.llli.org. She could also go to www.ilca.org for the name of LCs near her, but it isn't a complete list. It's those who are members of ILCA. Calling the local WIC, OB unit, midwives, LLLL etc. would readily put her in touch with someone who could help her.
I think your passion is great. Check out the local LLL. Online check out www.ilca.org www.llli.org and www.iblce.org for info on becoming an LC. The LLL website also talks about becoming an LC.
If you'd like further info on offering free breastfeeding services please feel free to PM me.

[smeep]

I'm sorry mama. I know how frustrating those situations can be, I've been through it many times.

I'm going through CAPPA to get certified as a lactation educator (and it will help me to eventually become an IBCLC). There are limits, however. In cases like severe latch problems, relactation, etc., I am suppposed to refer them to an IBCLC. However, I can always refer them and then provide them with links, handouts, etc., and "this is what I/so-and-so did" along with it while still emphasizing the need for an IBCLC, particularly if I feel they are not likely to see an IBCLC (be it money problems or simply reluctance). And what I charge is up to me (I plan to do a sliding scale, so of course free in some cases). An IBCLC can do it free as well, but as you've noticed becoming an IBCLC takes years. This is a good starting point. You can even offer consultations free now but beware that many times people will be reluctant to take your advice over a doctor's (or whatever) because you are lacking an official title after your name, no matter how wrong the other person's advice is.

Good luck!!!

[gingerbane]

You should post/look in the Birth Professionals thread. There are many threads in that forum on how to become a Lactation Educator/Counselor and how to become an IBCLC.