I, too, have trouble remembering clients on the phone, especially when it
has been some time since I talked with them or when I have a lot of clients
at one time. I usually use the "file is not in front of me" technique. I
also have a "current client" notebook by the phone, with short identifying
information.

Then there was the "Lisa case."  During one very busy period, I had 3 Lisas
at one time!  I made a call to Lisa A and left a message on her machine to
call me back.  After a short while the phone rang and it was Lisa, and we
began talking about her problem, with her face and case clearly in my mind.
 Then she said that her baby had not bitten her again and the nipple was
healing well. Fortunately, I don't have "visual" phone service, because my
mouth was agape.  Lisa A's baby was a newborn and had no teeth. After my
brain crashed and quickly returned, I remembered which Lisa I was talking
with and, without a clue to her, Lisa B and I continued the consult about
her 10-month old with a tendency to bite.

When the next Lisa called (Lisa A) I made sure of the face and case before
I got into the call. And, of course, Lisa C got careful screening too.

By the way, have you ever worked with women who have the "wrong" name?  One
week I worked with a Michelle and a Lydia who should have exchanged names.
I continued to have the wrong face for them because of the mistake in
naming that their parents had made. :)

Patricia Gima, IBCLC
Milwaukee
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