I agree with Jan, as LCs we are not usurping the role of the peditrician,
we are rounding out the role and filling a nitch that the peditrician is
unable, for whatever reason - lack of knowledge, lack of time, lack of
interest, to fill.  We are specialists in one particular area and have
great depth and breadth of knowledge in this area.  Most pediatricians are
generalists, with a particular interest in one thing or another (preemies,
allergies, diabetes etc).  We all complement each others' knowledge base.
It isn't a contest to see who the parents like best or listen to most.  We
are not the enemy.  We are another resorce to be able to offer parents.  It
needs to be a win-win situation with parents and their babies getting all
the care they need from how ever many people it takes!  Also if ped.  finds
his/her advice is at such odds with what the LC has to say about
breastfeeding, then  maybe s/he needs to take a short course in BF or join
Lactnet and read, read, read.  I hope Julius will pass this on to  his ped.
friend.

I tried to talk  to a PA today as an NP and say her advice to mom on amox
to pump and dump was out of line.  She was put off and didn't want to hear
what I had to say.  I don't get it!  I'm always glad to hear from someone
who knows more than I, on a particular subject, that's how I learn!  P.S.
Mom listened to me.  But that's not the point.  The PA should have!  I was
offering the info to help the next mom she sees in this situation.  I also
offered to do an inservice for their office and suggested they get Hale.
Will let you all   know where it goes next.

Went to South Carolina to  see my gorgeous granddaughter christened this
week end.  Minded my mouth and gave her her bottles without even bloodying
my tongue.  You would have all  been so proud of me.  And she even slept
all night for the first time this weekend.  Sincerely, Pat in SNJ