Those of you who know me realize I've been noticeably silent for this peds
thread, given that educating docs about breastfeeding is one of my favorite
topics.  One undercurrent in this thread has been attitude that the docs
have regarding their knowledge base and their advice.  There are docs that
I work with that are very good docs but just don't know that their info on
breastfeeding is somewhat out-of-date.  As I stated in an earlier post (and
got privately hammered for) if docs don't know that their advice is NOT
being followed they think that every thing is just "fine"(my point here is
that things are not "fine" with what mom has  been  told to do).  These are
the same docs who are bewildered and "offended" that moms go "elsewhere"
for their BREASTFEEDING advice.

A big key for me is a doc's attitude.  I can teach breastfeeding stuff to
anyone provided they have a somewhat open mind about listening.  If you've
got the option choose a doc whose attitude you're comfortable with and
gently educate them about breastfeeding by letting them know when you've
followed (or haven't followed and why) their breastfeeding advice.  The
good docs will get better as time goes on and the cranky docs will just get
crankier (and have fewer breastfeeding moms in their practices).

Gail
Gail Hertz, MD, IBCLC
Pediatric Resident
author of the little green breastfeeding book - disclaimer: owner of Pocket
Publications