<also being very clear about the role the mother is approaching us in,
from the get-go, is an imperative..>

To me, this is the bottom line.  How did the mother contact me?

I not only have an LLLL hat, I have an IBCLC hat and an MFT hat.
While most mothers are pretty clear they are not coming to me as a
psychotherapist, they often need the skills I bring to the table as
such.  Since they do not contact me as such, I limit the scope of my
practice to those skills I would use as an LLLL or IBCLC (or whatever
hat I'm wearing at the time; heck, I do the same on the softball
field!).  I do the same as for my skills as an IBCLC if I'm wearing my
LLLL hat, and vice versa.  I learned to listen carefully when mothers
called me as a Leader.  I figured if a mother needed more than
encouragement, information, education, and support (which is what we
offer as LLL Leaders), she needed a different set of skills.  I pull
out the pom poms, cheer her (and baby) on, maybe observe that she
looks a little uncomfortable or are her arms getting tired or basic
one mother helping another.  As an IBCLC, I definitely do more.  I
offer more instruction, I use breastfeeding aids, I give her a plan,
etc.  And if she needs a psychotherapist (or midwife, or attorney, or
piano teacher), I refer her appropriately. :-)

In what context the mother contacts me is key. This can be challenging
as an LLL Leader, as sometimes people inadvertently give out the
incorrect phone number and mothers contact me at home.  I politely ask
them if they were referred to me as an LLL Leader or as an IBCLC, and
proceed from there.

Mary Wagner-Davis, MS, MFT, IBCLC, LLLL

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