As tempting as it is to ignore this anonymous diatribe, filled with impossible accusations, it is important for me to defend my reputation as a board certified lactation consultant, having worked with mothers and babies for over 23 years. The language and actions \r
that TarHeelMom writes here, are ones that I have NEVER used in my personal or my professional life. I am in the lactation field because of my commitment to the health and well being of mothers and babies and have always practiced with kindness, tenderness, sensitivity and complete empathy, as well as up to date, research based information. TarHeelMom was working with many lactation consultants at once, which tends to be confusing and counterproductive, and is generally not recommended. However, I don't know of any lactation consultants who would ever speak or act in the way depicted here. Our primary concern is always the well being of mother and baby. Of course, if TarHeelMom felt otherwise, it would have been most productive for her to have discussed her feelings with her healthcare professionals, although, choosing this venue instead allowed her to rant without any checks or balances. I am honored to work with the small pediatric practice she references and find the physicians to be extremely caring, taking time and patience with every patient they see. They are supportive of me in lactation and I, of them. I encourage TarHeelMom to discuss any of these unwarranted wild accusations.\r
Ann Conlon-Smith, IBCLC\r
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