Absolutely not (always)! :-) As Rachel pointed out: sometimes moms have pure breastfeeding issues that can be resolved by good lc care and there is then no need whatsoever to visit someone else. There is absolutely no danger in working like that, provided the lc is capable and knows what she is talking about and refers if medical issues come up. It is dangerous to say it is dangerous, because that way, we all start medicalizing a *normal, physiologic function*! If I have a little bit of obstipation and I ask someone what I can do and that person says: "Eat more fruit and don't sit behind your computer all day", that is good advice. How much better advice could lc's often give regarding the normal breastfeeding dyad, considering the fact lc's need to be educated properly and have a certificate for practicing. I am not in danger if I don't see a gastro-enterologist for some obstipation and a mom and her babe are not in danger if they see an lc for engorgement or low production or latch problems. With all due respect, Nancy... please, let's not medicalise breastfeeding. It is one of the great dangers for normal breastfeeding relationships, especially when it comes from our own ranks. It also makes healthcare in general unaffordable; that way, whole sections of the population end up uninsured, which is considered inhumane here in the Netherlands. The way societies are organised, certainly influences the way healthcare is organised. Exaggerated liability issues are also a thing to consider in this respect. Once you think you can order life the way you want it to be and if it turns out different, you can sue someone who's fault it is... happiness gets a whole new meaning. I'm not a communist, but there are many options between complete state control/solidarity and complete liberalism/own responsibility. Society as a whole plays a role in breastfeeding habits and breastfeeding commitments. What was it again...? "It takes a village/society to raise a child." Best, Marianne Vanderveen-Kolkena IBCLC, Netherlands -----Oorspronkelijk bericht----- From: [log in to unmask] Sent: Wednesday, December 14, 2011 4:34 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Multiple caretakers Absolutely! -----Original Message----- From: Lactation Information and Discussion [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of [log in to unmask] Sent: Monday, December 12, 2011 11:11 PM Subject: Multiple caretakers Seeing multiple health care providers/allied health care providers without any communication or coordination is dangerous. That is why the AAP is so concerned with the concept of "medical home". We should all be talking with each other as a team for the patient's benefit. In the USA, the leader of the team and coordinator of care, meds, etc. is the physician. Nancy Nancy E. Wight MD, IBCLC, FABM, FAAP Neonatologist *********************************************** Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html To reach list owners: [log in to unmask] Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask] COMMANDS: 1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail 2. To start it again: set lactnet mail 3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet 4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome