In a previous post, I described the new “rules” about IBCLC® recertification by earning CERPs. That has generated some concern from readers about how to begin identifying areas of weakness. Even before you take the IBLCE’s self-assessment, here are some questions you might start asking yourself.
Where are your clients on health-illness continuum?
Take a moment and ask yourself where most of your clients are on the illness-wellness continuum.
Simply stated that means, do you work with families that are mostly well? Or do they have serious health issues?
For example, even though a hospital is an acute care setting, the mother-baby unit usually admits only mothers and newborns who are generally well. If you work there, you are working on the wellness end of the continuum.
That’s very different than if you work in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). In that case, most of your clients have some serious health issues. You’re working on the illness part of the continuum.
As you might imagine, if you’re working with mostly “well” clients, you’ll probably have trouble with the pathophysiology section. On the other hand, if you’re working with the “illness” clients, you may find yourself struggling to understand the growth and developmental issues and behaviors of a normal infant or child.
What age and status are your clients?
Are you working with newborns? Or do you work primarily with older infants — those who are 3, 6, 12 months old, or even 2 years old?
I can assure you the exam will pose questions about infants and children in all age ranges from premature up to 2 years old or slightly beyond.
If you spend your day working with newborns, you might have a tough time figuring out what complementary foods might be appropriate for a breastfed newborn.
If you’re working with prenatal clients, you are probably very familiar with issues related to fetal development, prenatal nutrition, the feeding decision, and more. You’re probably strong here.
But, if you’re working with postpartum families, you’re more familiar with issues and events that typically occur during that timeframe. You’re strong here because you’ve seen your fair share of postpartum pain and its management, mastitis, and postpartum depression.
By now, you can see where I’m going, right? Most of us are weak on topics or situations we don’t see very often in our day-to-day practice.
Is your experience primarily parent-focused or baby-focused?
Do you interact mostly with adults? If so, you’ve probably had lots of experience teaching and counseling. You will have seen your fair share of sore nipples or pain after a cesarean delivery.
On the other hand, if your daily responsibilities are more focused on babies, you may have seen your share of jaundice, colic, biting, nursing strikes, or reluctance to wean.
Again, you’ll need to field questions for both the parental and the infant aspect of care. But if you have little experience in one but not the other, that is likely to be a weakness for you.
What is your role in patient care?
I’ve spent a good deal of time in one-to-one interactions with both mothers and babies along the health-illness continuum. But the exam is about much more than just that interpersonal care.
I always dread the test items on public health and advocacy.
Sure, I’ve been the president of Baby-Friendly USA and a founding member of the US Breastfeeding Committee. Those are excellent examples of being involved in public health as related to breastfeeding. But I don’t consider myself to be strong in this area.
Think about whether most of your experience is hands-on, or if you’ve got experience with public health or advocacy groups.
What’s your setting?
Your setting is very likely related to your role.
If you work in a hospital NICU, you’ve probably had plenty or experience with pumps and pumping, donor milk, and grief after a loss.
If you work in a WIC clinic, you’ve probably encountered mothers who have already quit breastfeeding, and now you need to address relactation.
What other factors?
I suspect I’ve addressed only the tip of the iceberg here.
Make a solid plan for thinking about where your weak areas are, because whether you recertify by CERPs or by exam, you’ll want beef up your knowledge on areas where you are weak.
Have you taken an inventory of what are your areas of strength and weakness? How will you prepare for those topics for IBCLC recertification?
Excellent advise !!! Public health issues plague most of us that do direct care. Where can we find information to learn or brush up on this aspect of lactation ?
Hi Laura. I think you’re asking about brushing up on the public health issues related to lactation. Honestly, I doubt there is any one-stop shop for that! I have an entire shelf full of stuff on public health issues.The World Health Organization has literally hundreds of free documents on public health related topics for lactation. But to my knowledge, none of those materials offer CERPs. Have you taken the IBLCE’s assessment yet?
I was on the certification webinar on 4/21/22. Marie mentioned a course available at a discount for those on the zoom call. Where can I find this 75 hours prep course ?
Hi Nicole, thank you for asking. The coupon was emailed to those who were on the call. However, it was for a very limited time, and I think the time may have expired. (I don’t handle the mechanics of the coupon!) Check your spam folder; the coupon may be there, but it probably won’t work now. (You can try!) The CERP bundles are at our sister site, BreastfeedingOutlook. Here is the link to the CERP bundles for your recertification.
Nicole and anyone else who is listening: We are planning another live webinar in a few weeks. If you’re still confused, please, stay tuned. The first ones to know about these free live sessions are those who are Insiders. If you’re not an Insider, you can become one now!
Marie,
Thank you for your reply. I did check my spam folder and there was nothing there. Could it be possible I was not sent the coupon per email ? I really enjoyed your teaching when I took my re certification “prep course” before I tested in 2018. Is there a phone number I could call and ask about an exception ? Also, did not say on the call if we purchase the 75 CERPs,and need any additional ones after the IBLCE assessment, you would provide these at not additional cost ?
How do I know which CERPS I’ve already taken belong to which outline topics?
Hi Gail, thank you for the question. If you’ve completed my CERP courses recently, we have each on labeled. Here’s hoping you’ve seen some of the “general” information here, and here, we’ve given a specific number of CERPs as related to the Detailed Content Outline topics. We offer these in bundles (that’s what you’re looking at in the link I just gave, but we also offer them in smaller bundles, and individually. But this 75-pack demonstrates it well. The certificate we provide you with will very CLEARLY show the category where you’ve earned the CERPs so there will be no doubt in your mind or in IBLCE’s mind about if you’ve done what you need to do to fulfill your requirements. (If you bought our CERPs several years ago, it might not be evident.) I hope that answers your question, but if you’re still confused, please let us know. Send email to info@breastfeedingoutlook.com or info@mariebiancuzzo.com and one of our friendly knowledgeable team will be happy to help you!
What if I have Cerps From previous years