Meet the IBCLC: Maureen Lopina's journey to becoming an IBCLC.
Introduction
Another installment in the “Meet the LC” series. You may be familiar with Maureen from our 0-4month support group or from a one-one lactation consultation. We’re excited to share Maureen Lopina’s journey to becoming an IBCLC.
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“What inspired you to become an IBCLC?”
I was inspired to become a lactation consultant by the community of women who helped me when I had difficulty breastfeeding my firstborn, my daughter Jillian. To name a few -- JoAnne Scott, one of the founders of our profession, was one of the Leaders in my local La Leche League (LLL) group. Ann Cagigas was also a LLL Leader who had become an IBCLC, along with Patsy Leininger and Mary Spalding. All of whom gave me practical help as well as endless encouragement. I can’t say enough about how key their support was to me as a first-time nursing mother.
When I was pregnant with my second baby, Chris, I started teaching consumer-oriented natural childbirth classes, and breastfeeding was part of that curriculum. My students frequently turned to me with breastfeeding questions, and my children’s pediatrician started referring parents to me for help (I still work with babies who are patients at that same pediatric practice that I used over 30 years ago).
My LLL Leaders told me I needed to join them, and I became accredited by La Leche League in 1993. I had a third baby, Scott, the next year, and continued as a childbirth educator and LLL Leader. More colleagues encouraged me to grow as a lactation consultant including Nancy Sherwood, IBCLC, and Judy Campbell, IBCLC. JoAnne Scott, who was by then my co-Leader, mentor, and friend, told me it was time to step it up and take on a more professional role, by becoming an IBCLC, which led to my board certification.
Having the IBCLC credential has allowed me to teach hospital breastfeeding classes, and to train other health professionals. I’ve advocated on behalf of breastfeeding families by serving on the Virginia Breastfeeding Advisory Committee; testifying before the DC City Council; and speaking at a US Congressional Workshop. But what I love most is serving people directly, through one- on- one consults, and in the support groups that we have at the Center. It’s so gratifying to see clients develop confidence in themselves as nursing parents!
And that baby girl who I struggled to breastfeed decades ago is now a birth photographer, a doula, a fierce advocate for midwives, and is soon to begin graduate studies in Public Health with a concentration in Maternal and Child Health.
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