Abstract
Editor-in-Chief
I am writing to express some frustration with JHL. I am a private practice IBCLC in Germany, and I am a member of the German Association of the European Association (ELACTA) and of ILCA. All these membership fees sum up to a high amount, which is difficult to cover for a private practice IBCLC. Only a few German IBCLCs are familiar enough with English for it to make sense for them to become ILCA members.
I want to be a member of the ILCA, in part to remain in touch with the developments in the English-speaking world. My major resource would be JHL. But, as I read through past issues, there is little of relevance for an IBCLC in private practice.
I cannot see any benefit for my practice from many papers about “… factors associated with…, women’s experiences with…, effects of… on…, characteristics associated with…, impact on…, knowledge, beliefs and practices…, predictive factors…, cultural factors…, women’s perceptions…, assessment of information…, relationship between level of education and breastfeeding duration…”
All these papers cover what is statistically valid; however, I am sitting in front of an individual mother and need to make suggestions for her own individual situation, suggestions which might not be the evidence-based optimum.
Helpful are case studies and reviews of books and videos that were previously printed. It was so handy to read them on the train, when waiting, and so forth. Also helpful are Insights in Practice, Inside Track (which needs to be adapted for Europe), and practical approaches to breastfeeding problems, which cannot always be evidence based. First, there must be a phase of experimenting with new approaches before somebody (finds the funds and) makes a study! Many interesting approaches are not investigated because of the lack of resources!
The following hot topics with conflicting opinions are discussed in Germany at present: How much and which kind of instructions to give mothers for the latching process, how much breast massage is appropriate, and how to treat sore nipples… I do not believe that there is one solution for all situations. But it would be great to learn more about which measure is worthwhile to try when and under what criteria.