I'd love to hear what those of you doing this course think of it?

I'm seriously considering doing it - I'm a former LLL leader (retired 2007), but feel very uncomfortable citing this qualification in my doula bio - I feel I did this training for strictly for volunteering, and though I love LLL, I'm no longer an active leader - though I do maintain close contact with local groups/leaders.

I think CBI may bridge the gap for me - give me a refresher (though I do try to stay up to date generally), a 'qualification' that parents can feel comfortable with - I plan to continue doing bf support mainly as a part of my doula work and would like to do bf prep classes as part of my antenatal class portfolio.

Any thoughts? Thanks!

Rebecca

I'm currently a student with Childbirth International, but am taking the Birth Doula course!
I love it very, very much and am planning on taking all of the other courses they offer, including the Breastfeeding Counselor.

The classes are very simple and easy to access, and I just adore my teacher that I have.

Thanks Mary, I've really enjoyed my CBI classes too and am still working on my CBE - I've decided to have a go with BAI this time around for a number of reasons, and am really happy to be branching out.

Thanks for the nice comment:)
Have fun with your training, wherever you choose.

I am doing the Breastfeeding Counselor training and I am enjoying it. But then I enjoy everything about bf lol. Can't tell you too much about it yet since I'm only on chapter 2.

i haven't taken it but i did finish my birth, postpartum, and CBE with CBI and i can't recommend them enough!

Hello,
Can I ask a couple of things about the Doula course with CBI - Im in the UK - do you get sent the course to work through or is it online? also I see they do payment plans - how long is this spread over and do you only get to start the course once its been paid off in full?

thanks

You get the hardcopy manuals and you have access to all your material online. I am not sure about the payment plans. I think it said that in order to get the hardcopies, the full amount must be paid. I could be wrong.

so it's been a few years but you get the hard copies when you are paid in full but you have immediate access to everything online. that includes the manuals, tests, reading lists, etc.
i believe you can pay in 3 payments, or six i'm sure the site can tell you for that one.

As others have said, you get manuals and on line - if you pay in installments the manuals come when you've paid in full, but online is all available from the start. CBI is very good about answering emails / chatting on the phone - maybe worth speaking to the office directly? Have (finally) pm'd you as well

so what kind of credential do you get from this? is it the same as that 45 hour clc course?

The credential is CBC (Certified Breastfeeding Counselor) and takes about 10-14 months to complete. You can download their brochure here: http://www.childbirthinternational.com/information/breastfeeding_counselor.pdf

I am not sure how it compares to the 45 hours course since I'm not sure which one you are talking about. Is it on the list http://www.childbirthinternational.com/lactation/compare/usa.htm Maybe someone else could pitch in?

As far as I understand, they're not equal. The Center for Breastfeeding's CLC course is updated every year with the latest in breastfeeding research, etc. and can be used as training hours toward your IBCLC (and I don't believe CBI's can). If I'm wrong, please correct me, someone!

The CLC course is absolutely fantastic. I haven't taken CBI's, so I can't compare, but I learned SO much during the training!

(Website is http://www.healthychildren.cc for those who wanted to know what she was referring to.)

thanks maggie, that is the course i was referring to...