For fifteen years I had a comprehensive breastfeeding support program at a
large university in Massachusetts. I founded the program, based in a multi-
specialty HMO facility, which included breast pump rental, support groups,
in-service, and clinic visits for lactation consulting. Two years ago I was
transferred to a supervisor that seemed to have her only goal as getting
rid of me. And, within a year my program was history. The breast pump
rental program was deleted. My hours were cut from 24 hours a week to two 3-
hour clinics a week. This was not enough for me to serve my patients. As
happens to many, my time use was judged solely on how many hours I had
patients in the office; not on phone support or other services. I was told
that unless I also served as secretary I would be let go. I chose to quit.

Now I see the office is advertising they provide lactation consulting (the
exact term used). I have first hand knowledge that the nurse practioner who
was my supervisor, the one responsible for ending my program, is
providing "lactation consults." She is not IBCLC. She had signed up for a
breastfeeding workshop last year which I assume she attended. She is a
pediatric provider, and is good with pediatrics.

Of course I have hard feelings. I am out of work and trying to get my own
practice started, and it galls me that my IBCLC credential is so lightly
dismissed. I am also disgusted at the local hospitals who insist all
IBCLC's be RNs. I'm old enough, and been an IBCLC long enough, to remember
when RNs were not the norm. Sigh. That is another rant, though.

What would you do, if anything, about my old office continuing to
advertise "lactation consulting."  The women who get their health care at
this place have no idea of the difference. I notice the cabinets in my old
office are filled to capacity with formula samples. At one time the samples
were down to only specialized concoctions(the hydrolized stuff) but now
every new thing (and those darned "gift packs for breastfeeding mothers")
is back. I'm so angry that my program was dismantled and they are making it
appear as if nothing has changed. It has changed, and I feel badly for all
the women who are now "failing" at breastfeeding, and the babies who are
increasingly made the guinea pigs for the great artificial mothers'milk
experiment.

Underemployed, broke and mad as heck,
Margery Wilson, IBCLC (since 1991) and breastfeeding counselor since 1974

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