I think the lactnet conversation about telling moms the truth, giving 
choices, being respectful is really all of us saying the same thing 
underneath. I say this with the Code of Ethics in hand. An IBCLC would 
be in violation of the Code of Ethics if she did not 1) Provide 
professional services with objectivity and with respect for unique needs 
and values of individuals. or 4) Conduct herself/himself with honesty, 
integrity, and fairness. or 7) Base her/his practice on scientific 
principles, current research, and information. or 11) Provide sufficient 
information to enable clients to make informed decisions.or 12) Provide 
information about appropriate products in a manner that is neither false 
nor misleading.

So I suspect that the quibbling we are doing about telling moms the 
truth is most of us not understanding what the other person is writing. 
Those who say we must tell the truth do not mean beat the mother over 
the head with it and "make" her change her mind. Those who say we must 
meet the mother where she is and respect her choices are not saying that 
the IBCLC fudge the information she gives about the effects of formula 
bottles after breastfeeding, etc.

Those that are being labeled as militant are most likely not really this 
way -- I see them as advocating for code number 11 and 12 above. I think 
they say their piece and let mom make her choices.

Those that are being labeled as fudging the effects of formula are most 
likely not really this way -- I see them as advocating for code number 1 
above. I think they say their piece also and let mom make her choices.

The whole issue is important: respect, telling the truth, giving 
information so moms can make her own informed decision. Not telling a 
mom about how bottles of formula affect breastfeeding is against the 
code of ethics but at the same time, beating her over the head, 
screaming at her, calling her names for her choices, is against the code 
of ethics, too!

Code of ethics numbers 4 and 7 are important too -- is it fair or honest 
not to tell a mother about the effects of whatever thing she is doing? 
 From bottles to nipple shields to breast pumps, do we limit ourselves 
in sharing information about anything? Are we basing our practice on 
scientific principles, current research, and information if we say 
nothing to those moms who are doing things that may adversely affect 
breastfeeding?

 From my reading of our code of ethics, the key is telling the moms "the 
truth" based on current research, the pros and cons of every device or 
practice we suggest, at the same time as we are respectful and objective 
to the unique needs and values of the mother as an individual. It isn't 
doing one or the other, it is doing both.
 
Kathy Eng, BSW, IBCLC

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