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Subject:
From:
"Barbara Wilson-Clay,BSE,IBCLC" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Wed, 23 Oct 1996 08:04:22 -0500
Content-Type:
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I agree with Tom Hale about selling the positives and not sounding too
counter-culture.  I also like the idea of using lots of humor.  People
aren't as defensive and are much more open while laughing.  I use slides.  I
show a gross, infected nipple or two and say:  When your patient calls and
says "Dr., I have sore nipples."  This is what she's talking about.  That
really gets their attention, as I think nursing mothers sometimes have the
reputation of being whiners -- always calling to complain and taking up lots
of time.  I remind them that that is why there are LCs -- we take the time
to sort through, report back, and fix these problems.

I always show a couple of slides of nursing toddlers.  I comment that I'm
doing this because many women in this and other countries nurse up through
the pre-school years, and they need a few visual images of this so the idea
doesn't shock them as much.

A few years back I presented to a WIC crowd which included some health
profs. who seemed really turned off and squeamish about bfg.  I decided to
show them Kittie Frantz's hand expression video.  It seemed to me that part
of their defensiveness was the whole idea of milk coming out of a breast
grossed them out.  So better they should see what it looked like and get
over it.  They were so funny.  They all started out frowning with arms
crossed across their chests (men and women!).  By the end, they were all
leaning forward, fascinated.  I think sometimes the use of desensitization
may help.

Anyway, good luck, Kathleen. Don't forget to respect your own expertise.
You are not a physician, you are something else:  an LC and a wise woman.
That's very good, and they need you just as much as you need them.

Barbara

Barbara Wilson-Clay, BS, IBCLC
Private Practice, Austin, Texas
Owner, Lactnews On-Line Conference Page
http://moontower.com/bwc/lactnews.html

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