lactation consultants- how many hospitals have them? - page 2

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I am intersted to know for those of you who work in hospitals or had your children in the a hospital- were/are there lactation consultants? are patients given proper/enough education on the... Read More

  1. by fergus51
    Oct 11, '02
    Joined: Jul '00; Posts: 11,351; Likes: 387
    WICMissy, I don't refer moms who are on the fence to the LCs because I have seen them get so overbearing with these moms that they get turned off of breastfeeding. One of them even thinks that formula should be locked up like narcotics and routinely calls it crap in front of mothers (which really makes them feel great if they were considering it or if they fed it to a previous child). I have heard patients refer to them as the breastfeeding Nazis. Guilt tripping someone is not the best way to get them to breastfeed IMHO.
    Of course if they are having a problem too complex for me to help with I would refer them, but not if they are just normal moms having a bit of stress about breastfeeding. Those moms I can help and nurture.
  2. by SmilingBluEyes
    Oct 11, '02
    Joined: Apr '02; Posts: 38,756; Likes: 16,281
    Agree 1000% fergus!
  3. by OBNURSEHEATHER
    Oct 11, '02
    Joined: Oct '00; Posts: 10,236; Likes: 64
    Originally posted by fergus51
    I have heard patients refer to them as the breastfeeding Nazis.
    Wow! Must be an international term!

    We have a few that are great, but we have one.... not only does she visit the breast feeding moms, she makes it a point to visit the bottle feeding moms to try and make them change their minds.

    Heather
  4. by SmilingBluEyes
    Oct 11, '02
    Joined: Apr '02; Posts: 38,756; Likes: 16,281
    Heather that is deplorable. Once a Mom and Dad make decision, we need to respect it 100% and leave them ALONE! I am disgusted when I hear things like that. Thank Heaven our consultant is MUCH more respectful than that. She is a true professional and I am honored to work with her.
    Last edit by SmilingBluEyes on Oct 11, '02
  5. by Momto3RN
    Oct 11, '02
    Occupation: Currently urgent care center Joined: Sep '02; Posts: 128; Likes: 18
    Good response, SmilingBlueEyes. I should've clarified better, though, my main complaint was the lack of LC accessibility. All my nurses were FABULOUS and I honestly did not expect them to have all the answers. Heaven knows they had MORE THAN ENOUGH to do. I really appreciate the nurses who take the time to gain extra skills outside their official job description.

    Unfortunately, there are not enough LCs to go around and I know they all work hard and I don't know what I would have done without mine. She was just too busy!

    Actually, it would be nice if women could STAY LONGER in the hospital to better establish breastfeeding!
  6. by SmilingBluEyes
    Oct 12, '02
    Joined: Apr '02; Posts: 38,756; Likes: 16,281
    yep , waggy, i agree. a longer stay would almost be beneficial to ANY new mom and baby, especially the breastfeeding couplet. I cannot agree w/you more! I am sorry for your unfavorable experiences. It is sad that hospitals rarely fund full-time LC's.....some fund NONE at all!
  7. by LCDEBBIE
    Oct 29, '02
    Occupation: HOSPITAL BASED LACTATION CONSULTANT Joined: Oct '02; Posts: 8
    Hello!! It is exciting to know that lactation consultants are in "demand." I am a hospital based lactation consultant working in a small hospital in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan; I also service our community because we no longer have an active LaLeche League. If you are looking for a listing of IBCLC's, you can contact the listing at www.ilca.org. Hope your lactation experience was enjoyable.
    Yours in lactation,
    LCDebbie

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