Day 2 of Insights - 7 Things Every New IBCLC Needs to Know

#2

Welcome to my IBCLC© Day 2023 Series! Each day I’ll share with you one piece of insight about our work. (If you’re too excited and you just want to read them all now, go here and download the whole list)

Let me know in the comments if you agree, disagree, never thought about it this way, or whatever you’re feeling!

Nothing is as predictable as change, right? Lactation is a profession where flexibility is one of the most important attributes you can nurture in yourself. You’ve got to be ready to change course at any moment.

2. The lactation plan you & your client or patient created might not be the one they decide to use.

Circumstances change. People change their minds. Regardless of how much time you and your patient spent creating the "perfect" plan for them and their goals, by the next time you see them or speak to them, they may have moved on to a different plan.

It's not a reflection of your worth as an IBCLC, nor is it an indication that your plan was not good. Your responsibility is to create the lactation management plan with your patient (and to document it).

The patient is in charge of using the plan, and they can use it any way they want - as a strict guide to exactly what to do, as a list of suggestions, or as a way to understand what it will take to meet their goals and then make a decision about what they really want.

When you learn that the plan is no longer in place, adjust your thinking, clarify what they need next, and be there for this next step. Show up for your client and their goals, even when they're shifting, and you can rest assured you are doing your job well.

You cannot have an agenda in this work. You are not here to make people fit into a plan that feels right to you. You have to learn how to identify your personal biases about childbirth, lactation, and health in general; then you need to learn how to allow your professional responsibility to your client to override your personal biases.

This kind of self-study takes time and intention, and I have created a program to help you accomplish this. Let me know if that’s something that interests you by commenting below with the words “Lactation Practice Without Fear.”

• Information about the IBCLC© credential and how to pursue it can be found at www.iblce.org

• Information about IBCLC Day can be found at www.ilca.org