Nor did I read Kathy's post as angry.  I share her sentiment that, regardless of what is 
intended by the statement, identifying primarily as an advocate for babies feels intrusive to 
the sacrosanct mother-baby dyad.

That said, I think this view is often expressed as a corrective after a series of posts *seem 
to* indicate that the highest goal of the lactation professional is to tend to the mother and 
support her in meeting her goals.  

In reality, lactation professionals don't just help women meet their goals; you help them 
form their goals.  You are educators and truth tellers.  You are there to provide all the facts 
at your disposal in a compassionate, non-judgmental way.  You are also healthcare 
professionals who are able to assess and address any physical barriers to breastfeeding.  
You are sometimes also counselors who help women sift through personal and cultural 
barriers, too.  

When you are doing all of these things, you serve the dyad.  I don't see the need to break 
into "primarily advocating for mother" and "primarily advocating for baby" camps.  

Kerry Ose

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