Looking Back, Moving Forward

How it all started: 1989…

1989 saw the first group of 12 women, mostly from the Voluntary breastfeeding counsellor (BFC) background, LLL and Cuidiu, get together to sit the IBLCE exam in Dublin. This was on foot of the first USA exam in 1985 when members of La Leche League established the IBCLC Pathways and Exam concept.

This pioneering group felt the need to work together to promote the extra qualification and initially created a small core group called MILC- (Members of Irish Lactation Consultants).

The second exam took place in 1993, when another group of 8, mainly midwives this time, went to Lisburn in Northern Ireland to complete the Exam. These midwives, from Dublin, Cork, Limerick and health visitors from Northen Ireland, helped to put Ireland on the map as an international Site for IBCLCs. The exam became established as a marker for advancing lactation Education and Management for years to come. This development saw the midwifery and medical professions getting involved and valuing this Internationally accepted credential.

Together these groups merged, and the Association of Lactation Consultants in Ireland was established and formalised in the early 90's to provide networking and support for members, North and South.  An all-island group working within different jurisdictions, different policies, and finances, but with a united goal to support and further educate those interested in Breastfeeding and Lactation Management. 

A core group became the committee – Council members and developed Guidelines and a Constitution, which enabled grants and funding to be accessed in a transparent manner.

And so, from small beginnings on front-room tables, ALCI was created and formally became the Association of Lactation Consultants in Ireland.

EARLY DAYS: 1990-1999

The 1990’s saw more midwives and health care professionals sit the exam, and further develop and formalise the Association.  They wanted to create educational opportunities for all ...and acquire Continued Educational Recognition Points (CERPs) in a structured way.

ALCI initially ran small group sessions and study days locally in hospitals and local centres, which helped to keep costs down. Working with the voluntary groups and sharing guest speakers, three or four educational events were run annually.  

The 1990’s also saw a big push on promoting education within the “18 hour “Education programme in many centres.  This was a BASIC Breastfeeding Education Course, based on WHO programmes which many Maternity hospitals started to run to train staff about best practices to support new mothers and birthing practices and principles related to improving our poor breastfeeding rates-

ALCI was there to help, allowing IBCLC’s to network at study days to and share ideas.  Also as a means of meeting like-minded pioneers from other parts of Ireland- all struggling with low breastfeeding rates some as low as 20-40% initiation rates in the 80’s and 90’s, -(if recorded) and many having a fall off rate as high as 15-40 % from initiation to discharge.

Communication was not as easy as now-a-days with no computers, or mobile phones and no approved positions or posts specialising in infant feeding or breastfeeding support. However the first ALCI conference was held in Sligo in Feb 1994.

Some groups of IBCLCs ran the programme for Public health Nurses, such as the Lactation Training Team, in the East and Central areas of Dublin and Ireland, and Best Services ran programmes in the West of Ireland, in the 1990s.

Towards the end of the 90’s, the baby friendly Health Initiative (BFHI) was developing in several European and world wide centres.  In Ireland, with the support of ALCI, letters were written to Government Departments to highlight the need to have formalised structures in place. The BFHI concept was established as part of the Health Promoting Hospitals Network, and a National Advisory Group was established.

ALCI was represented on this National Forum and continued to contribute for several decades to promote the cause and strive to implement the standards and practices of the BFHI process throughout all the maternity hospitals and units in Ireland.  It continued till its untimely cessation in 2016/2017, when the HSE took over the running of  BFHI , practices and review.

Other Educational events continued- and larger events were happening with increasing members and attendances- ALCI was moving up in the world and getting more professional and planned conferences in hotels to facilitate networking and travel from all corners of Ireland.

Moving Along: 2000-2009  

Continued steady progress in the noughties for ALCI, meant more organisation for the Council members. Membership was growing, and nearly all Maternity Hospitals and units were involved with the BFHI process. As members learnt more about breastfeeding and Lactation management, concerns and solutions, Lactation Education and participation in World Breastfeeding Week and National Breastfeeding week became annual events on the lactation calendar.

Events such as the National conference moved from Springtime to Late Sept/ early October to coincide with National Breastfeeding Week In Oct in Ireland, during this decade.  ALCI Council, always tried to host meetings in person at these events, to maximise participation on a national Level.

The Spring Study Day developed into a “members-only “event to be a forum to discuss Irish research and practices and to give up and coming IBCLCs a chance to share their experiences within a supportive group of like minded colleagues.  This concept has held fast and is a great platform for neophytes to blossom locally and has often been a step in the right direction to assist IBCLCs take the leap and present at other events, both Nationally and Internationally.

As the Association, developed funding was secured to assist in travel to some ILCA conferences and to England on occasion to LCGB events. The idea of bursaries and sponsorship to enable Irish ALCI members was created, by ALCI.  Applications for assistance have always been reviewed by the sitting Council, on an annual basis and successful candidates have written reports and shared learning to help others gain a broader knowledge and understanding of lactation issues.

ALCI newsletters were the forum of sharing knowledge long before the internet and computers took hold.

Grant Aid funding was always from the HSE or equivalent authority at the time, to assist in further education.  ALCI has always had to complete an annual Application and present post event evaluations and costings to validate the application.  

GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT:  2009-2019

Over time, the ALCI Council identified the need for paid administrative support. Previously, specific projects or reports were delegated to paid contractors to elevate ALCI's professional image and allocate appropriate time and effort to initiatives that were previously handled solely by volunteers on the Council and sub-committees.

The role of an independent contractor was publicly advertised, and in August 2009, Eithne Foley joined ALCI as the Administrator. As operations evolved into a more streamlined and, dare we say, "sophisticated" state, Eithne adeptly managed various tasks, including computers, phones, Excel spreadsheets, and more. She played a pivotal role in supporting the Council, efficiently organizing all paperwork for Spring study days and Annual conferences, overseeing 5/6 committee meetings annually, and addressing numerous phone calls regarding the Association, the IBLCE exam, and recertification—effectively managing all administrative requirements for ALCI.

Throughout this period, a full weekend event translated to a three-day commitment for Council members. This involved thorough preparation for events, coordination of entry packs, management of speakers and workshops, and post-event working meetings for evaluation—a crucial aspect of any educational event and a valuable learning experience for council members. The Administrator's support has played a key role in ensuring that ALCI's volunteer council members are well-supported and effectively engaged.

By 2012

By 2012 the IBLCE exam went electronic over a phased in programme over 2/3 years. Prior to this exam sites were identified once a year in each country, with Candidates attending in person for a 4-5 hour paper examination with the aid and assistance of proctors and invigilators. Dublin was the site for most exams in Ireland.   With Electronic and digital processes in place, the exam could now be taken on-line in a dedicated centre, rather like taking a “Driving test” in centres in Dublin, Cork, Galway, depending on the number of possible candidates each year. Also, as Ireland was an English speaking site- we had the option then to do the examination either of two times in the year- April or September.

In October 2014 ALCI Celebrated its 25^th Birthday. We invited past a present member together to join in with the Celebrations.

CHALLENGING TIMES: 2019-2024

2019 and the next five years have been challenging times for everyone with the Global pandemic – COVID.

All our lives changed in March 2020 when Ireland went into it’s first Covid Lockdown.  ALCI Spring study day 2020 was one of the first casualties. Following a very successful, large scale event for Conference 2019 in Limerick and a planned celebration for 30 years the planning for a Spring study day in person in Athlone had to be cancelled at the last minute, with Lyndsey Hookway coming in on a Zoom link with other presenters doing a video call and everyone just doing their best to keep the show going.

We’ve all progressed from simple teleconferences or group phone meetings to full scale 2 day “International like “online, hybrid conferences over a matter of a few years.

During this time ALCI Council took the opportunity to review the Constitution and Policy & Procedure Manual and updated these documents.

With good use of webinars and zoom links, ALCI continued to provide educational events for members. Many of the events were free to give assistance and support to those members in particular on the front line in their working lives, caught up in process of hand hygiene, face masks, and isolation practices.  ALCI produced Guidelines in line with the HSE for those working in Private practice and needed guidance and support.

Our administrator Eithne Foley changed jobs during this time and ALCI went on the road again to advertise and recruit a new Administrator and Events Manager. After a difficult selection process, Catherinea O’Mahony was chosen and has proven to be as equally competent in the role.

Catherinea has brought ALCI and Council into the 21^st Century and assisted the conference teams to create more professional presentation and modern Association – ready to run 2024 as a truly International Conference.

THE FUTURE: 2024 & Onwards…

So, what’s the future for the Association of Lactation Consultants in Ireland...?

EDUCATION EVENTS:

Following success of 2023 Hybrid National Conference, in the Midlands Park Hotel, with almost 200 in attendance and another 100 members and non-members online, ALCI are well poised to provide International educational conferences in the future.

There is an annual schedule now with a Spring Study Day for members only, usually in March each year and an Autumn conference in Sept/ Oct every year.   An AGM learning session, and a World Breastfeeding Week, August on-line webinar offering, complete the offerings from ALCI for its members. A great selection of options to keep in touch, keep updated and acquire CERPS to sustain on-going educational requirements as an International Bord Certified Lactation Consultants, will continue. Also, as issues arise and new practices are considered ALCI will provide updates and new knowledge from National and International Perspectives.

DEVELOPMENT:

ALCI continues to grow with over 400 members from a variety of disciplines and backgrounds, all sharing and supporting breastfeeding and lactation management throughout Ireland, and increasingly beyond, as seen by the breadth of locations (worldwide) of attendees to our Conferences.

ALCI has always tried to represent our members within other like minded organisations and groups and will continue to do so.  ALCI is represented within Baby Feeding Law Group Ireland, and World Breastfeeding Trends initiative in recent years, as well as international links and connections which will also continue to improve as ALCI is associated and affiliated with wider groups of similar organisations worldwide-   See Resources section for more details.

LCGB - Lactation Consultants in Great Britain 

ELACTA - European Lactation Consultants Alliance

ILCA – International Lactation consultants Association

So, from the initial 12 who sat the first exam, in 1989 (4 or 5 IBCLC’s are still very active in Education, Advocacy and Support) to the 439 IBCLCs registered and active in 2023, ALCI has been a real success story, continuing to provide support, education and networking for those who specialise in assisting breastfeeding women, babies and families.