I am a long-term lurker on lactnet, a mother who was both successful and 
unsuccessful at breastfeeding, a NICU RN, and a hospital-based IBCLC.
I am immensely grateful to the numerous experts who share their wisdom and 
stories on this messageboard, and to people like Morgan who bravely 
battle "the system".
BUT....One issue that I see recurring repeatedly on this messageboard, that 
does nothing but create a polarizing "us against them" mentality, is the 
constant criticism of healthcare personnel. The recent posts about "weekend-
trained" LCs in hospitals is a perfect example.
I understand that there are many changes that could be made in the provision 
of care to mothers in the US, and a lot of education to be done for many 
HCPs, but when negative stereotyping, generalizations, and broad criticisms 
are made, it tars us all with the same brush, and that is a disservice to all the 
nurses, doctors, Lactation Consultants (under whichever credential they were 
trained), and other healthcare personnel that go about their days trying to 
provide the best care possible to mothers and babies, at the risk of being 
blamed, criticized, or sued, if something goes "wrong".
Over my 20 year career, in several settings, I have worked with some amazing 
people - 
from the L&D nurses who help anxious mothers put the baby to the breast for 
the first time, even though they have another mother about to deliver in the 
room next door,
to the Nursery Nurses who valiantly attempt to help babies latch to some of 
the flattest nipples I've ever seen,
to the Lactation Consultants who skip lunch yet again because a baby decides 
he is ready to eat at the same time as the LC's lunch break,
to the NICU nurses who gently co-erce the frightened premie mother into 
doing STSC with her baby all attached to tubes and wires, or squeal gleefully 
when a new mother brings those precious drops of colostrum for her baby,
to the Neos who hold off on starting feeds until the mother is able to provide 
her own milk, and were instrumental in getting our Milk Bank up and running.
We are not all devils worshipping at the altar of medicalized birth. 
Many of us work tirelessly, day after day, assessing each situation as it 
arises, supporting the breastfeeding dyad, and living in hope that one day the 
tide will turn and society, as a whole, will fully understand and support a 
birthing and mothering experience that is in the best interests of all parties 
involved.

Please be gentle with your criticisms, resist the generalizations, and remember 
that stereotyping benefits no-one.

Kay

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