Yaffa,

Many of us non-nurses have been in the position of facing resistance and/or
hostility from other health professionals who have credentials that are
different from our own. If you do your job well, are tactful, and refrain
from complaining about personalities in the workplace, you will probably find
this person becoming your best advocate.  It doesn't take long for staff to
realize that your being on the job will make their jobs easier.

Does this person feel she has good LC training and skills? If so, it might
help to ask for her imput at certain times.  People like being respected for
their knowledge and skills. And we all learn from each other.

Another place to gain respect as well as to educate staff is through your
charting. Review some of the charts and notice the varying techniques used by
the staff. Use the preferred format, but your choice of words will reveal
assessment skills that have probably never been documented.  My favorites are
 "rhythmic sucking, with audible swallowing x (blank) minutes". "Mother
denies breast or nipple pain."
"nipples C&I" (clean and intact)

Good luck. Like I tell the peer counselors I train, "do your job quietly and
well, ask for help when you need it-- and doubters will come around".  I
found the same worked for me.

Karen Koss, MPH, IBCLC