Hello,
I have a friend who is a fellow IBCLC.  We differ in our approaches as
one might guess when dealing with clients, the human factor.  I had a
call recently from a mother of a 4 week old baby displaying all the
symptoms of pyloric stenosis.  I advised her to contact her doctor
immediately, told her what it could possibly be, making sure to state
that I was not a doctor, and could not make a diagnosis, nor give
medical advice.  My IBCLC friend doesn't believe LC's should even
mention what they think may be the problem if it is medical, even if
they are reasonably sure they are correct.  I feel if I "beat around
the bush", so to speak, the mother may not interpret the urgent need to
seek medical care.  Where do LC's draw the line between breastfeeding
and medical advice?  What can you say to a mother who is worried about
her baby who exhibits the classic signs of a common, treatable illness
that is not medical advice, but will get the urgent message
accross...SEE YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY?  Maybe the medical issues are
just the nurse in me trying to get out!!!  Thanks for your thoughts.

Sharon A. Rapoza, RN, BSN, IBCLC
Breastfeeding Works LC Service