Lee-Ann Halbert brings up some points which are always worth considering again as we ponder our emerging profession. Linda Smith wrote a wonderful paper a few years ago where she compared the roles of LCs to LLL Leaders and peer counselors. This was a role deliniation approved by both LLL and IBLCE, and it addresses the scope of practice of LCs. I wish this report were more widely disseminated and discussed, because there is still so much confusion on this issue. ILCA publishes the Scope of Practice for LCs which is required reading for those in practice. IBLCE publishes the CODE of ETHICS for LCs. The purpose of having a scope of practice is consumer protection. The public is best served when members of health care teams take very seriously their roles and limitations, and practice within an ethical framework and a scope of practice. LCs don't prescribe meds unless they also are MDs or CNMs or PAs with prescribing perogative. We can certainly share information and topical OTC measures, tho we have an ethical obligation to investigate the safety of these suggestions. By that I mean we are obligated to go to orginal research sources and check references. It is not enough to hear a suggestion made or written casually and just start in using it because it sounds good. An example of that is Neosporin. It is not a good choice for topical nipple infection. It contains an ingredient that may pose a problem for young infants. A better and safer choice is Polysporin. Both are OTC, but there is a difference in safety. My source for this info is Tom Hale, and I checked it in some other refs. LCs do work with and under the supervision of MDs. I am not personally affiliated with a specific medical practice even tho most of my referrals come from MDs. But I closely communicate with the supervising physicians, and word discussions of meds. carefully. There are ways to say: " this mother needs a script" for something without threatening the MDs perogative to be the one to decide that. Remember, our role is to be the bfg expert; the MD is obligated to have an overview of other health risks. Learning tact in our communications skills is part of what we need in order to be accepted by the existing professions. Learning our limits and exercising restraint in not exceeding the appropriate scope of our practice is how we will demonstrate to the other professions that we are not dangerous. This does not mean we don't bravely advocate and educate when we encounter ignorance of bfg management in a colleague -- we just have to learn to do it smart so we don't alientate our best referral source. Barbara Barbara Wilson-Clay, BS, IBCLC Private Practice, Austin, Texas Owner, Lactnews On-Line Conference Page http://moontower.com/bwc/lactnews.html