The recent discussions on pumps and ethics made me think about a conference
for private practice LCs that I went to a couple years ago.

Although it wasn't on the agenda, an undercurrent of "Liability!
Liability!  Protect yourself!  Protect yourself!" seemed to run through
many of the sessions.  One participant wondered about the safety of the
chemicals in the tape we use on feeding tubes.  The safety compared to the
safety of formula??  Another suggested having paper or plastic coverings on
our furniture.  Because breastmilk and breastfeeding are so hazardous??

At one session, LCs decried the trend toward pumps being rented and sold
directly to consumers thru retail stores.  They agreed among themselves
that the decision to use a pump, and what kind of pump to use, was one that
consumers can't make for themselves;  they need an LC's help.

That may or may not be true.  But I began to wonder if I was at a lactation
consultant conference in the 90s or a medical conference in the 20s.
Substitute the word formula for pump, and the scenario was the same:  "The
public can't decide for themselves.  They need our help.  Companies should
market to *us*, not *them*.  We should take a stand against companies that
market directly to the consumer, and support those that support us."  It
was a little like the end of Orwell's "Animal Farm" where the pigs who led
the revolt against the farmers become indistinguishable from the farmers
themselves.  And in the foyer were several lovely pump displays by the
companies helping to underwrite the conference...

I think it's probably healthy to have the spectre of our own potential bias
raised every so often.  Our profession arose to protect the mother and baby
- not to protect the LC - but we're just as human as anyone else, and it's
easy to get so wrapped up in the day to day running of a business that we
forget the big picture.  I'm very glad I went to that conference, although
it was hard on me at the time.  I'm still learning from it...

Diane Wiessinger, MS, IBCLC, LLLL  Ithaca, NY