On 12/20/2013 9:52 PM, Doula wrote:
> not an emotional one:  (wanted to say)  Your pediatrician is a jerk !

Kathy,
I do hear your pain - Oh, I do...
As an adoption pediatrician I feel exactly what you are feeling about 
the way how adopted and foster kids are being managed. it is HARD to 
educate people who are more then sure that they do know the best. 
believe me, in all other areas they can be the greatest pediatricians! 
We (doctors) are not gods. We are humans and we can not know everything.

But then breastfeeding ignorance is not doctors fault. Yet said 
ignorance is everybody's (doctors', LC's, patients') problem.

And rather then accusing a pediatrician in being a jerk, I'd rather open 
lines of communication and teach, teach, teach.

Remember, we (pediatricians) were trained by formula companies. After 
all and our own professional organization (AAP) is living off the 
formula moneys, and very few of us do actually know a thing about 
breastfeeding, even we all are theoretically "pro breastfeeding". Even 
less of us know about all the ethical issues surrounding the promotion 
of milk substitutes.

The phrase that worked the best for me in this situation is "there are 
many ways of doing XYZ, so if ABC approach did not work, let's try DEFG 
instead". Even if you know that "ABC approach" is wrong and detrimental. 
By communicating (rather then alienating), you are inviting the doc to 
cooperate and thus - to learn.

Then offer to speak at the grand rounds, resident lectures - whatever 
you can do to reach out to docs.
They will listen.
At least some will.
I know, it is frustrating, but think about it - even if only one doc 
will change the way he/she practices - you will succeed.

Off my soap box - still have to see patients in the morning.

Happy Holidays - whoever whatever is celebrating ;D

Alla

-- 
Alla Gordina, MD, IBCLC, FAAP
General Pediatrics
Breastfeeding Medicine
Adoption and Foster Care Medicine

Global Pediatrics and Family Medicine
NJ Breastfeeding Medicine Educational Initiative

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