This is a great topic!  Karen points out that we need to know
whether the info is obtained 1st hand, 2nd hand or even more
remotely.  I think we have all had the experience of having
something we said come back to us totally distorted from what we
said or thought we said in the first place.  (Remember the old
"telephone" game where a story would be told from one person to
another and by the time it got around the circle, it was quite
different from whn it started?)  So the first question would be
exactly what did the LC do or suggest.  Then what were the
circumstances.  I have given some "off the wall suggestions in the
past.  This can happen especially when we have tried (or at least I
have suggested) all the usual, evidence-based approaches and they
either haven't worked, or mother is unwilling/unable to try them.  I
will sometimes throw out a suggestion based on no more than a
hunch.  I certainly tell the mom this isn't something that we have
research on, but it might be something to at least try in her case.
I can just see a mom in that situation telling someone that I said
to do such and such and not relate what led up to that suggestion.
Without knowing what led up to the suggestion, it might sound like I
was giving really "suboptimal" advice.

So, if we suspect an LC may be not only not helping this mom, but
doing damage to our profession, the first step is to get the facts
straight.  We should ask the mom, "Did the LC give any other
suggestions?"  What else had you tried?" etc.  Then if we can talk
with the LC, the conversation might go something like, "Mary Jones
contacted me for help with nursing baby Jack.  I understand she had
also talked with you.  May I ask what you suggested so we don't spin
out wheels going over the same ground?"  Or perhaps, "I was told
that you did.........  I usually avoid ( or haven't tried) that
approach because...........  I like to keep aware of all the
suggestions going around.  Can you fill me in on what led to your
giving this instruction? "  Then if it appears that some really bad
advice, or practice was occurring, you might continue with something
along the lines of, "I would be concerned about.....with that
approach" or "Are you aware of the recent article in JHL
saying.............." or "There is newer research
showing.............  Were you aware of that?"

Now, there are times when we keep hearing the same things about a
particular LC or we know for a certain fact that she/he is
practicing in a manner contrary to the Standards of Practice.  There
are steps to be taken through IBLCE (don't have the procedures at my
fingertips right now).  First, for the protection of moms and
babies, and secondly for the protection of our profession, we need
to follow through on these situations.

Winnie

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