Dear lactnuts and mediawatchers:
Okay everyone, calm down. I did not see the Law and Order episode but I plan
to write a letter. Below is my letter to Chicago Hope when they did the same
nasty thing in 1998. Hope you all will write letters and very clearly,
nicely, and professionally let these folks know what we are about. Please do
not even entertain the idea that there really is a contract that parents
must sign. This is pure hogwash and fear tactics. When the formula marketers
learn that a hosp is pursuing baby friendly certification they panic. Feel
free to use some of the ideas in my letter below, use your own words and
lets all get the point across.
Laurie

10/27/98
Chicago Hope:

I am writing about episode 4, "The breast and the brightest." There was alot
of misinformation about breastfeeding in that episode.  For example, moms do
not have to pump and dump for days following surgery, and doctors do not
have to pump in bathroom stalls (doesn't this dr. have an office???!!!).
But mostly, I was shocked that the information about the Baby Friendly
Hosital Initiative (BFHI) was so far from the truth. I am currently involved
with working with and for the baby friendly process. IT INVOLVES NO
CONTRACTS FOR THE FAMILIES, but rather promotes an environment that is
supportive of breastfeeding.
If the hosp was truly baby friendly, the staff and the families would be
highly educated about breastfeeding, as that is part of the BFHI process.

A lactation consultant (LC) should always be board certified (IBCLC).  Our
no. 1 rule is "feed the baby" and we are quick to recommend supplementation
when that is warranted, as would have been in your fictional case.  An LC
would have looked for a whole set of indicators, which are obvious before
the end of the first week, and would quickly intervene to feed the baby if
necessary, while at the same time working on improving the breastfeeding to
its optimal level. THESE INDICATORS SHOULD HAVE BEEN DELINEATED in your
story so that families would know if they were in fact doing well with
breastfeeding or needing help.  I hope in the future you will use a board
certified LC or a medical doctor who is a member of the Academy of
Breastfeeding Medicine as your consultant on this topic.

Laurie Wheeler, RN, MN, IBCLC
Coordinator, Louisiana Breastfeeding Mediawatch



______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

             ***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html