RE: Maria's inquiry about info left on a phone message machine:

I (private practice LC) started out by leaving lots of info on who to call
(LLL, other LC if available, etc. - all w/phone #s) on my answering machine,
not for liability reasons (gee, never even thought of it!), but so that some
poor desperate miserable lady could find help if I wasn't around. But
everyone who called either complained or joked about the length of the
message (it's also our family's home machine), so now I just identify myself
& ask callers to leave a message. But if I'm going to be away for more than
a couple of days, I leave a message w/an alt. person to contact.

When I worked at WIC, I put a message on my machine with other names/#s to
call in the meantime if it was urgent. I thought this did sound a bit
alarmist, though, so I added some general all-purpose words of encouragement
& advice. This was indeed a long message, but since it wasn't a home phone,
& was only used by people trying to reach me for BFing help, I felt that it
was OK.

And, quite honestly, since I'd never heard of anyone getting *any* helpful
care r/t breastfeeding at our local emergency department - quite the
opposite, sadly - I wouldn't send *anyone* there for BFing help. I really
figured I had to trust that if it *was* a true emergency, people would have
the sense to go there or call a physician on their own. After all, my
credential is not "All-purpose Solver of All Problems having to do with
Babies And Mothers"!

Cathy Bargar RN IBCLC (not ASAPBAM!)
Ithaca NY

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