Karleen writes:

>I have been very interested in the discussions surrounding the emergence of
>lactation consultancy as a profession. However, there has just been some
>uneasiness in my mind about the whole issue because of what I have read re:
>professionals disempowering their clients

<snip> .

>I can see that LCs will not provide the bad advice
>dispensed by those in the medical profession in the 40s to present but is
>it possible to provide good breastfeeding advice and yet disempower?


This is very interesting.  I think it is certainly possible to give 'good
advice' on anything and disempower....and interestingly, NCT bfc training
is to treat the word 'advice' with caution and not to use it, or give it.
But we are not health professionals, and are not involved in clinical
decision-making.   You can give good advice, though, in a clinical
situation,  and still leave the mother/client in a position where she feels
it is her decision to take it, or to follow other options which may be
available.  It's to do with communications, and information sharing, and
treating people as equals. The best health professionals, and the best LCs,
work like this, I am sure.

Heather Welford Neil
NCT bfc Newcastle upon Tyne UK

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