I have to say that it is nice to hear from a few of you who have verified 
that it is not us nurses and doctors who always completely screw up all 
nursing mothers. I am also heartened to hear from those of you who have 
gone into the hospital setting after being strictly in the community. 
Thanks for validating that those first few days are a whole different 
ballgame. It's quite an eye opener isn't it?

I think one of the most important things we need to remember is our 
profession's credibility depends to a large extent on how we are perceived 
and received by those in the medical community. The medical model is here 
to stay regardless of what anyone thinks about that. If we yell and scream 
and rant and rave as some have here, it diminishes who we are and what we 
stand for. We will not be taken seriously if we are thought to be a bunch 
of nuts. I am grateful to the poster who suggested that one will catch 
more flies with honey than with vinegar. "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em" 
seems to be appropriate here as I think we can do that and work as 
colleagues without giving away our professionalism and individuality and 
what we stand for. The docs and nurses might even learn something in the 
process. A lot has to do with the approach we use. We have heard from many 
of our colleagues who have spoken about how well they have been received 
by their medically oriented colleagues.

We can and will continue to make headway if we do it professionally and 
sometimes QUIETLY. 

As someone mentioned today, lactation consultants are certified NOT 
licensed. LC's are not the equivalent to physicians and never will be. We 
need to get over ourselves in that respect. If we want to be respected, we 
need to afford others (whether we think they are jerks or not) that same 
amount of respect. 

It would be my guess that for the most part, most physicians (and nurses )
who don't have vast experience with lactation don't know even one thing 
about the IBLCE or what is entailed in becoming an IBCLC. I would find it 
hard to believe that many (if any) would ever actually go after an LC's 
credential because they just plain do NOT care. It is way under the radar 
screen.

Physicians, nurses, PT's OT's NP's RT's, MSW's and the rest of the 
ancillary staff in any institution work TOGETHER for the common good: in 
our case the mother/baby couplet. There are checks and balances in 
hospitals as well to keep unruly physicians, nurses,etc., in check. It's 
not as if we have carte blanche to do whatever we want. That's a nice 
fantasy that gives some the ammunition they seem to think they need to 
attack.

LC's (no matter what their background) have a place because in or out of 
the hospital, mothers and babies need help. 

While I am sorry that this entire SOP thing has raised such concerns, I am 
glad that it appears that the subject is getting addressed. But regardless 
of the outcome, we are all going to have to work within the framework that 
will be given to us. We all have to do that: even within the licensed 
professions that some of you criticize so vehemently.

I'm just not sure that we are always presenting ourselves in a manner that 
assures the maximum acceptance. We are a young profession. Let's keep it 
viable so it can grow. Let's not diminish our professionalism by coming 
across as unprofessional in our collective approach. 

That's my take today after hearing from more people (some of whom appear 
to be part of that silent 3000)although according to the number Lactnet 
gives, there are less than 3000 members.....................

Betsy Riedel RNC, IBCLC
Connecticut

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