Thanks to everyone who posted comments/advice on my disagreeable situation!  I very much appreciate the candor.  A couple of you mentioned that I missed an opportunity to educate a colleague(the pedi), and I agree.  I believe that I did the most important thing and that was to educate the mother.  But, I could have taken the opportunity to start a dialogue with the MD on his management and that would have been the professional thing to do.
    
  Yet, frankly, I didn’t think it would make any difference.  I am afraid that my judgement is clouded by my years of OB experience and working in a field so non-evidence based.  I know it sounds awfully cynical, but I must simply be honest.  I have known many a pleasant, friendly physician, who are glad to chit chat about the weather, kids, holidays, etc but question the way they practice obstetrics and the conversation ends or becomes heated rather quickly.  They always have that ONE study that they rely on, whichever one that supports the way they are currently practicing.  Or they recount a dramatic horror story to support their “side.”  And when they are finished stating their case, the conversation is over. 
   
  Therefore, I have tended to focus my time and efforts on educating mothers.  It’s the mothers who will drive change in OB, breastfeeding, healthcare, anyway.  I believe that 15 minutes spent at the bedside helping a mother and baby to breastfeed is worth a year of debating with a stubborn doctor.  With the mom and baby you can at least make a difference.
This is coming from a nurse who works where a pedi is quoted as saying, “We aren’t savages in the Jungle, we have formula for goodness sake!.” in response to these women who still insist on breastfeeding. So, am I being cynical or just honest?
   
  Mary Herrington, RN, IBCLC
Lactation, Hermann Memorial Northwest
Labor & Delivery, Hermann Memorial The Woodlands




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