One of the important things about learning to work collaboratively with
other HCPs is that when it comes to establishing milk banks it is almost
impossible for that effort to be lead exclusively by LCs or LLL Leaders.
They lack the power and prestige in the community to attract funders. Milk
banks are hugely expensive.

 In Austin, Tx the lactation community historically  has taken a positive
and proactive manner of sharing information with physicians.  This has very
effectively raised the level of awareness of HCPs in support for bfg, made
referrals to LCs commonplace, and ensured a space at the table for LCs in
policy decussions. We don't always get what we want, but we are a respected
presence. Things are not perfect, but they are so very different than they
were 20 years ago.  The beneficiaries are the mothers and babies we serve.

  We have a milk bank that is the direct result of a coalition between
lactation people and doctors.  I don't think the project would ever have
gotten off the ground without the collaboration.  The docs very much needed
our organizational skills, connections to a volunteer pool, and our help
recruiting donors.  We very much needed their scientific expertise,
professional credibility, etc.  I would add, the Leaders and LCs on the milk
bank project made it clear from the first that they would not participate if
any funding from eager-to-help formula companies was even considered.  So
cooperation does not here imply a lack of ethical boundries nor does it
require a surrender of strongly felt ideology.    Picking battles very
carefully is smart strategy.  Even smarter is identifying potential allies
and employing mutual gifts and talents in the name of greater good.

Barbara Wilson-Clay BSEd, IBCLC
Austin Lactation Associates
http://www.lactnews.com

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