This e-mail was long in the making.

How on Earth can we (lactation consultants) bring our message across to 
all the members of the health care team if we neither respect them nor 
give them a credit to what they know (mostly what we, lactation 
consultants, don't)?
Let's face it, with all the benefits of the breast milk as a "first 
immunization", breastfeeding neither did nor will prevent polio, 
smallpox or diphtheria.
And with all the downsides and risks of antibiotics (especially with 
their inappropriate use), breast milk as a "natural antibiotic" still 
would not cure TB, sepsis, meningitis, MRSA or even a trivial 
streptococcal tonsillitis.
Add to the mix a simple idea that any specialist is usually a specialist 
in a very special area.  The famous saying by Koz'ma Prutkov (Google 
this name, you may enjoy his aphorisms) "Specialist is like a dental 
abscess always being one sided" goes both ways. We (lactation 
consultants) are one sided in our ways, colorectal surgeons in their own 
ways and so on. For internal medicine docs breastfeeding and breast 
milk, so dear to our hearts, on the grand scheme of things are 
relatively minor issues. Would you believe that IM docs really have to 
be "buried in the medical texts" to keep up with all the advances of 
modern medicine? They do. The same as us. Just different texts, as per 
same Koz'ma Prutkov, "one can not grasp the immensity"...

So if we want other specialists to listen and to learn about 
breastfeeding, we should stop opposing ourselves to the rest of the 
world and start finding opportunities for cooperation.
If we want to be a part of the team that will succeed in solution of the 
modern breastfeeding problems, we should not create confrontations with 
our teammates.

Peace,
Alla

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

Global Pediatrics and Family Medicine
NJ Breastfeeding Medicine Education Initiative
NJ Chapter Breastfeeding Coordinator, American Academy of Pediatrics
Satellite Symposia Sub-Committee Chair, Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine

             ***********************************************

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome