Thank you Jeanine.  I think that in many ways you verbalized some of what
I have been thinking and feeling.  I decided to take the IBLCE exam for
lots of reasons.  One of them was the fact that as a LLLL I was often
viewed as a fanatic without a lot of knowledge.  About 6 years ago a
local pediatrician did his part to influence parents to disregard any
help that I could give them.  The same Dr. also told me somewhat later
that I had no right to say anything that in any way was different from
what he believed because my interest in breastfeeding was only a 'hobby'
and not paid, gainful employment.  ( I think that was just about the
angriest I have ever been in my life).  I haven't yet confronted him
since passing the exam last summer.  I did need the credentials to
develop credibility in the area where I live, which is very degree and
title conscious.  I do think that there is a big danger in this
approach.  I think there is a big tendency to "do something" and use
equipment and other interventions when many of these situations can
resolve positively without them.  We certainly need to not loose sight of
the varied aspects of the nursing relationship (babies and mother nursing
that is).


Sarah Friend Barnett, LLLL, IBCLC
Bronx (New York City), New York
[log in to unmask]