What a nightmare.  You're right, I don't see how you can ethically withold
information from a client, especially when there is a significant amount of
recent professional literature that supports your position and probably
little or none (recent) that supports theirs.  But they can certainly make
your life hell if you cross them.  Is there a head of the pediatric
department to whom you can turn (hopefully it isn't one of this group!)?
If so, perhaps you and your manager could could meet with him/her to
present the problem.  I think I'd come in armed with a list of journal
articles supporting your position, copies of a couple of the best (I have
two favorites from the JHL special issue), Allison Hazelbaker's thesis, and
Dr. Jain's video.  If you can convince the head of the pediatric department
that you know what you're talking about, he/she could reason with the rest
of them and present the evidence.

When I've gotten into trouble in the past (referring to chiropractors,
about which there is *not* professional literature to support my position),
it has helped that ILCA's Standards of Practice for Lactation Consultants
and my job description both include the statement that my role includes
"referring to other health care professionals as appropriate."  Probably a
copy of the Standards of Practice as well the Code of Ethics would also be
helpful to have available.  Good luck!

Becky Krumwiede, RN, IBCLC, Appleton, Wisconsin
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