Dear Attie,

Sounds like you had quite a day.  You have my utmost respect for not
"blowing up" at the doctor who chose to verbally accost you over the phone.
 I really don't think that "having it out"  by fisticuffs or verbally will
cause you any gains in the long run.  [as tempting as it may be to drop to
the attacker's level]

I suggest "the little green men from mars" approach.  I also use this with
my five year old when she's insistent about some thing but way off base.

"The Little Green Men from Mars Approach"

You are the greeter/informant from the earth.  The person with the
irrational comments about breastfeeding practices  is a little green man
from mars.  The little green man from mars [hereafter known as lgmfm] just
sounds irrational because of course mars is very different from earth and
martian laws don't apply.  Now if you need to explain something to a lgmfm
that just arrived you would break it down into simple parts, explain
without being rude or patronizing, and be very matter of fact and very
positive about the whole deal. Maybe it's not understood the first time....
but like the earthly law of gravity, just because the lgmfm doesn't
understand it or agree with it, doesn't mean it's going to change to suit
his needs or perceptions.  Just be open and pleasant.  If the lgmfm begins
to get on your nerves,  picture the bald green head and pointy ears that
lgmfm have and keep smiling.

Remember, you don't argue with a lgmfm - you educate. [If the lgmfm is
looking for a fight - he'll have to try a different planet, thank you.]

Again, nice job keeping your cool.  Good luck with your lgmfm.

Gail
Gail Hertz, MD
Pediatric Resident
author of the little green breastfeeding book - disclaimer: owner of Pocket
Publications



I got an angry phone call from a family Doctor.
 She prefaced her call by saying "this is a very is a very angry doctor
 calling"

he suggested that I should have
> it out with these GPs.
>
> I would like to respond in a very positive way and only by stating that I
> only teach and support my breastfeeding patients by research based
> guidelines and that I follow the recommendation of WHO, AAP and the
> Canadian Pediatric Association.