Laura -

I empathize with you on these frustrating questions! Here's what people tell
me when I'm simmering over these same and similar concerns: Probably they
call you because you've established yourself with someone (either the
clients directly, or with whoever refers them to you) as a person with
authority, knowledge, expertise, and an ability to talk with women with
kindness and respect. Wow, that sounds so Pollyanna-ish! When I got these
calls (which almost never result in a situation where I can be paid for my
time/knowledge!), I just try to remind myself that my name, somewhere out
there, is associated with support for women & babies - and if it's my name
that comes to mind, well, it's not really a bad thing!

I sometimes wonder why it is that I seem to have a limitless capacity for
inducing women to burst into tears. I swear, there must be a neon sign over
my head saying "Feeling weepy? Just put it right here!". I don't know
*anybody* that has this strong an effect on people, in the
bursting-into-tears department! Then someone I care about very much told me
that it's because I project "safe place" to people, and they just give it
all up on contact. Which I found to be an acceptable explanation, and more
positive than just thinking of myself as a mammoth sucker! (Well, the funny
thing about that is, I'm NOT a sucker, at all - I'm pretty tough,
actually...)

(Now if someone could just explain the paralyzingly soporific effect I have
on fussy babies, I could rest in peace - all I can think of is that I must
be the Supreme Bore of all Time).

Cathy Bargar RN, IBCLC Ithaca NY

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