1. Lactation consulting, if done *properly*, is generally no picnic. Nor is
it particularly lucrative except for hospital-based, salaried, staff
positions. Then you have to deal with all the usual hospital issues that
undermine breastfeeding to begin with.
When I'm approached by RNs (often they express the desire to "get out of
staff nursing"), they tend to have an idealistic vision of making gobs of
money in their spare time by "helping mothers with breastfeeding." Private
practice is rarely that simple. It often involves difficult situations,
with babies at some degree of risk (you should carry individual malpractice
insurance, which most RN carriers won't cover under your RN policy). Most
private practice LCs make many F/U calls and/or visits, and may or may not
be able to bill for them. And you need to be available when the mom & babe
need you, not in a few days, especially if there's *any* question of weight
gain or the baby's intake.
Then there is the problem with insurance, like no coverage for LC visits
most of the time, so families are understandably reluctant to pay out of
pocket.
Before you invest the considerable time & money necessary to sit for the
IBLCE exam, talk with as many LLL Leaders and IBCLCs in your area as you
can find. Maybe thing are better from where you sit.
2. Doula (Labor support & postpartum) & childbirth education: Great for the
stay-at-home or part-time employed mom, especially for when your baby is a
tad older. Getting the word out & getting people to see the benefit in
spending money for doula services can be frustrating, but midwives' clients
are a great target market. I wish more use was being made of both. Several
women in my area provide a combination of these services, and are fairly
busy. Check with ALACE, DONA, ICEA, Birthworks, Bradley, & "real" Lamaze
(Lamaze International) for information, workshops, certification, etc. You
can begin slowly, while your baby is young, so that much of the educational
stuff is out of the way. Then you can apprentice with someone (doula or
CBE) when he is able to be without you for extended periods of time.
-Gabrielle in NY
Reprinted from Midwifery Today E-News (Vol 2 Issue 19 May 12, 2000)
To subscribe to the E-News write: enews@midwiferytoday.com
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