<Apparently the local breastpump company rep has been sharing a success
story>

There's your first clue. A marketing ploy, very similar to what we
criticize the pharmaceutical industry's formula reps for. Has it come
down to "pimping" for the pump companies too, as long as they don't
officially violate the code?

Mothers need to be falling in love with their babies in the hospital, not
"shopping" from a cart "manned" by a volunteer "pink lady", probably
not-too-knowledgeable-about-breastfeeding, for things they could just as
well shop for before or after the birth.

Maybe it might be OK in a hospital gift shop, or as a service in
conjunction with an outpatient LC department, but invasion by such a cart
into an already tumultuous postpartum experience sounds like the thinking
of someone who hasn't the least idea of what "taking in, taking hold" is
all about.

<about an LC who set up such a system, marketed it to the local
physicians'
offices as an "added value" to their patients, and not only increased the
delivery rate at her hospital but has a 96% bf rate as well.>

A LIKELY story! I HOPE genuine LC's are utilized by physicians, hospitals
and clients for their professional, rather than their retail equipment
marketing skills.

Physician's decisions about where to deliver their OB services are based
on a multitude of things, none of which are as "piddly" as the presence
of a cart stocked with commercial items that are now available at many
Walmart stores, and many other ways.

Nor do I "buy" this as a possible basis for any rise in BrF rates to 96%.
Anyone who has boosted their rate appreciably will testify that there was
a great deal more to it than the availability of nursing bras etc. for
sale during the 24-48 hour maternity stay.

That's a pretty myopic way of trying to < improve their hospital's
image/bf rates, too.>, IMHO. It would be far better for a hospital to put
some intense effort into staff training, improved prenatal education,
improved LC coverage as close to 24/7 as possible, etc. than pinning its
hopes on something that "smells" awfully close to giving away formula
company bags because it's popular with the mothers.

Sorry. Pushed my button.

Jean
*********
K. Jean Cotterman RNc, IBCLC
Dayton, Ohio USA
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