Message text written by Lactation Information and Discussion
>Evidently, there are quite a few cases pending right now in which LCs are
being sued for babies who have died or become ill after
 mothers followed the advice of an IBCLC.
-WOW-.  Hello Netters,  This is the first time I have ever heard, in my
20yrs working in the LC field, of any LCs being sued for babies dying
following advice of an IBCLC.  Usually, I get all the political,
controversial, LC gossip that goes on around the world.  Missed this one.  
Let's be careful on what gossip we spread around..  As I just left a post
on lactnet, how important it is that we document everything we touch, see,
hear, and discuss with mother, father, and baby.  People have said to me
"Pat, you document on a chart anytime you talk to a mother on the phone?" 
You bet I do.  I have heard of an LC getting in trouble with doing a
breast/nipple assessment on a mother that later got mastitis.  Do you think
she blamed the LC for it??  It does seem stupid  asking a mother for
permission to touch her breasts or getting a consent from her, but in
todays society (how are you guys in the other countrys??) in the USA we
have to constantly cover our _________.  We will never know when a father
or mother will get mad enough with a situation and come after anyone that
stands in the way.  Solution is to cover yourself with documentation.  
 with taxes coming up ---- "Dealth, Taxes, and hildbirth.  There's never a
convenient time for any of them"  by Margaret Mitchell.
Pat Bull, RN, IBCLC
The Breastfeeding Connection/Medela
Naperville, IL