Several have posted me privately to ask about how we accomplished the
changes in Austin, and one person praised me for leadership.  I have to say
again, this was truly a team effort.  I don't have the power or position to
drive that kind of change.  The change in terms of the NICUs came from
committed neonatologists and the nurses/LCs in the hospt, and was driven by
awareness of evidence-based research.  I'm just priviledged to be able to
participate at the level of the milk bank and other coalitions.  One of the
points I'm trying to make by sharing this information is to remind my
colleagues that the doctors and nurses are our natural allies; aggressive
formula marketing is our enemy.  Our experience here tells me that we can
participate in wonderful changes if we approach our natural allies with
cordiality, sharing ideas, stategies, and information.  But we must also be
open to receiving information about the institutional challenges our allies
are struggling with.  This allows us to come up with mutual solutions that
ultimately benefit the mothers and the babies.  And if we don't keep the
focus that that is the aim of all our work, then we aren't going to be
effective change agents.

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

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