I certainly understand both sides of this issue, as stated by Rachel and Judy.
I spend much of my time as just a friendly, maybe grandmotherly, lady who comes
around to check on how bf is going and gives some practical
assistance. I answer simple
questions like do we need to burp her, how long should she bf (how
many minutes?),
don't I have to start her on the other breast each time? and etc. Of
course I downplay
all of these rules and regulations and just try to get mothers and
fathers in the "groove" of
just bf.
I spend some of my time with more difficult challenges, such as
tongue-tie, suck disorganization,
prematurity, mother drug use/baby withdrawals, and more.
I spend a good bit of my time with mothers who do not feel they have
enough milk, who
believe their babies will starve without formula, who want the baby to
get used to a bottle
straight away because they are returning to work very soon (2 or 3
weeks not uncommon).
In other words I am trying to encourage exclusive bf, and boost
mothers' confidence and
belief in their ability to bf. This last part is absolutely
exhausting, at least it was today!
So not sure if I am wearing my IBCLC cap at all times. In fact, I
don't introduce myself
as a lactation consultant; I say "I am from the BF Center." or I might
say "I'm a bf specialist."
But I guess I can quickly put on my IBCLC cap as needed.
Funny story today, I had a mother being discharged with baby, and she had many
many reasons why she supplemented. We had talked on previous days about
the reasons to exclusively bf. She didn't buy it. Well, this morning
she asked to see
me and was quite upset and excited saying "I dont' have milk on my right side!"
A nursery nurse was there doing some discharge teaching, but told me
to come on in
and speak to mother. I asked if I could have a quick look and express,
and she said yes.
I very easily expressed and her milk squirted about two feet over to
the nursery nurse who
jumped and laughed at this and so did mother. Ah, those are the fun times!
Laurie Wheeler RN MN IBCLC
Mississippi USA
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