I was going to email Loni privately about the physician issue. But decided
it really deserves Group discussion. I don't know about everyone out there
but I think that if the docs took time on the Breastfeeding issue to do
their homework and get caught up as a practitioner who supports
women/babies - we could make so much progress in the Lactation field. If
they cannot do this - they should welcome LCs with open arms to be their
resource. If the practice you have is researched based, if what you are
teaching is outlined and understood by all the docs with hospital
priveledges who care for moms/babes, if you give them opportunity to get to
know you and you get to know them too - where they are coming from - this
is important. If you have a bad rep. then you almost need to back off a
little and rework.  That happened to me. Nothing I was doing was wrong but
when I first became an LC docs weren't quite ready to hear me recommend.
They resisted me. I backed off from them but did not stop treating patients
carefully. I supported, followed up, gave information pertinent to each mom
and baby, taught staff RNS, taught Perinatal Educators, Got a name in the
community, started slowly getting referrals for re-admits, sent them
reports (they liked this) And guess what? We are now applying for Baby
Friendly. We have grown alot. It won't be easy though. We are only at the
certificate of intent phase. We have some pretty stubborn, controlling docs.
I will never stop being who I am, however, I realized that they were not
ready for my passion etc... I would love to hear what others are doing with
this. There is a whole dimension to this in the culture of change, the
politics of institutions etc...
Sue Majoris - home from Sunday soccer - one more weekend to go and we move
to indoor soccer!

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