This seems to be my day for shooting off my mouth, but if I may comment on
the issue of medicalizing bfg with the LC?  The services of an LC are not
necessary for every nursing mother.  All hospt. and birthing personnel
should know how to help a mom latch a baby properly (still the most impt.
and the least well understood skill in MHO).  And of course the goal of all
lay counselors (and I've been one for 20 yrs) is to re-create a
breastfeeding culture in which all family members and the cop on the beat
say: " good job!"  to every nursing mother they see.  That has nothing to do
with the reason we need LCs and why LCs should definately have an excellent
technical orientation in lactation science.

A major role of the LC is to help with the situations which don't respond to
support, good wishes, and generalized knowledge.  Just look at the recent
cases which have been discussed on this list:  surgeries, hemmorhages, toxic
contamination, drug interactions.  Women have a right to accurate, clincally
based information in these ununsual circumstances.  I have a very holistic
approach to health, and utilize massage, chiropractic, herbal and
homeopathic remedies, meditation, touch, and prayer in my own family, and to
some extent in my practice when appropriate.  But I get extremely impatient
with the attitude that going to bed with the baby for the weekend will solve
some of the cases we see.  I drive myself to learn as much lactation science
as I possibly can, and I embrace the idea of the LC as a clinical expert,
because it is the most wounded women and babies, who have had the worst
birth experiences, or who are at the most risk who most need the benefits of
breastfeeding.  If there are no experts for these women, where do they turn?


Barbara Wilson-Clay, BSEd, IBCLC
Austin Lactation Associates, Austin, Texas
http://www.jump.net/~bwc/lactnews.html

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