While I agree with Coach Smith 100% that we need to ensure better Maternity
Protection Laws and that is the better question I also need to step in and
add my own 2cents.

 

We can push for the better laws - we can ask the better questions.  We can
do all of that - however - changes like better maternity laws so moms can
stay home with their babies take TIME.  So what to do in the meantime?

 

In the meantime moms do need to know how to safely and properly feed their
baby when they are forced to be separated, because we don't have decent
provisions here in the USA.  So - I think (just my own opinion here) that we
do need to also look at the question of do we teach one on one or do we
teach mothers (who must leave their babies) in a group setting?  Perhaps one
on one would be best but that is not always possible.  Group settings may be
the only option in some circumstances.

 

I think a frank discussion on this is important - we as a community might be
benefited by more exposure to the challenges some of us have in our work
settings in trying to educate mothers how to safely/properly feed the baby
when they are gone and/or how to teach the caregiver.  Someone mentioned one
on one teaching by their healthcare provider.not always a good option when
many HCPs (at least in my area) don't seem to have the foggiest notion of
how to do that and have given unsafe information at times.  Many times an
HCP has told parents that they can prepare supplemental formula with tap
water.that they don't need to worry about powdered formula use in a baby
under 4 weeks of age, or that paced feeding for a baby with serious
suck/swallow/breathe issues is NOT necessary - the baby can aspirate
breastmilk all they want (breast or bottle) and it isn't a problem - ever.
Not all HCP's have a clue.

 

So, personally and professionally, I am interested in this whole teaching
bottle feeding thing because I am looking at teaching classes and parents
want/need to know how to do this.  Many must go back to work and don't have
the option of staying with their babies - no matter how much they may want
to.  When I do short in-services the first questions are what is the best
pump to buy and what type of bottle is the best.  I want to know that I am
teaching responsibly and appropriately and not violating the Code.I would
LOVE it if all women had the blessing that I had to be able to stay with
their babies - but they don't.  So besides taking steps to make political
change for the future - how do we address the needs of the parents now?

 

Warmly,

 

Jaye Simpson, IBCLC, CIIM

Breastfeeding Network

Sacramento, CA

www.breastfeedingnetwork.net

 


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