I am mystified when anyone in a para-medic or para-nursing role feels 
unable to 'contradict' the doctor - in my breastfeeding counsellor 
work, we have an easy  phrase which protects us from over-stepping 
our boundaries, respects the doctor or whoever else the mother is 
consulting, and, crucially, empowers the mother.

We simply say 'I have some information/research here which might be 
helpful for you to discuss with your [title of HCP] - can I give it 
to you?'  The info can  be verbal, or it may be a paper, or a 
reference, or a website.

This works with just about any situation, including 'the doctor says 
I have to put the baby on formula' or 'the doctor says I can't 
breastfeed with this treatment' or 'the health visitor says my milk 
can't be good enough' etc etc etc.

I don't 'contradict' the HCP (ok, sometimes with the most 
preposterous stuff I do actually dare to, but I  can always back it 
up).

What's to stop anyone offering to share their sources with a mother, 
and for the mother then to make up her mind about sharing them with 
the HCP?

Heather Welford Neil
NCT bfc, tutor, UK

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