First I want to address Karleen's and others who have posted similar concerns about the differences between lay counselors and IBCLCs. I think that the differences in commitment towards breastfeeding are not necessarily due to the choice of being a lay counselor and a professional than the general background and attitudes of the person involved. The concerns you have raised are important ones that should be incorporated into the training for IBCLCs. It is not enough to look at breastfeeding as a medical issue - it should be looked at in the entire context of societal pressures, family pressures, and individual characteristics. Its also not enough to look at the problem in the moment - but how to benefit the long term relationship. A good IBCLC should be every bit as committed to breastfeeding as any lay counselor. So, I would suggest that you take a look around and keep an open mind. I have had just as many instances of bad advice coming from well-meaning lay counselors, pediatricians, obstetricians, family members, and baby nurses. And in every one of those categories I've been pleasantly surprised by wonderful advice. The best baby nurse I saw sat up with a mom every three hours and hand expressed (which I'm learning not everyone interprets as using your own hand, some think its the gadget - in this case I mean literally with their hands) five ounces of milk for her baby 8 x/day for two solid weeks while her baby was refusing to latch. So, I no longer prejudge and I have to say that even some of those who I thought were hopeless when it comes to breastfeeding advice can sometimes change. I just scored a major coup with Dr. Trendy who wrote a chapter denigrated LCs. My persistent reports to him must have paid off because parents have recently told me that I'm on his list. And this is after I wrote him directly to say exactly what I thought about how he characterised us in his book. I had a good lesson about keeping an open mind again just this last week when I saw a horrible nipple infection without mastitis. I'm used to moms describing their nipples as in terrible shape over the phone, but this was one of the worst I've seen. The last time I saw a case this bad, the ob had treated it over the phone without even having mom come in and it turned out to be a complicated infection that needed very special care. I walked in for the consultation, took one look at her nipple and told her she had to call the breastfeeding medicine specialist we refer to right then and there. The mom told me her obstetrician wouldn't let her see someone else without talking it over with her. All my prejudices about obstetrician's not really caring or knowing how to treat complicated breast infections kicked in and I started telling her how wonderful the breast feeding medicine specialist was. We called her obstetrician and she saw this mom literally 10 minutes after we called (the office was a block away). She did all the cultures the breastfeeding medicine specialist would have done. I was beside myself with relief. The obstetrician was just as skeptical about me as I was about her and was relieved when the mom told her that I was the one who thought she should be seen right away. So, keep an open mind about those of us who are professionals. Some of us may be more dedicated than you think, just as that obstetrician was terrific to my surprise. When you find the dedicated professionals you like, refer to them and talk to them. It is through dialogue that we all benefit. Best, Susan E. Burger, MHS, PhD, IBCLC *********************************************** To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet All commands go to [log in to unmask] The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(R) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html