Contrary to many posts on people using LC's as a last resort and free
services first, I have not had that experience.
  I live in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC.  The population is more
educated and more affluent , on the average, than in many parts of the
country.  Mothers here often prefer to see the LCs at the hospitals than to
use La Leche League.  I think the mentality is something along the lines of
 "If I have to pay for the advice, it must be worth more."
  Sadly, that is often not the case at our local hospital.  As LLLLeaders,
my co-leaders and I cringe when a mother says she is going to deliver at
XYZ Hospital.  The Lactation Consultant on staff there seems to mess up
more breastfeeding relationships than anyone we have ever encountered.  We
end up seeing the mothers after they have spent a lot of money and been
convinced that they are unable to bf.  At that point, it is often too late
to turn the situation around.
  We have had mothers convinced that we as mere LLLLeaders can't possibly
help their situation when a paid professional has been unable to.  I also
find that some mothers will listen better and follow the directions of an
LC that they are paying than the same advice given for free by me.  I have
several times referred to a good local LC who calls me back and says that
she told the mom the same thing I did but it worked because the mom took
her information more seriously and followed the instructions.
I just wish that women would plan for bf support before giving birth.
Things would be so much easier if they were more educated and knew what to
expect and the wide range of "normal".

Laura Barmby