I too receive numerous email inquiries and although it is not possible to 
assess and the communication can not replace a consultation, it is a 
great way for mothers to get a quick answer to their concern.  I work in 
a hospital setting and have my own private practice.  I think moms like 
the anonymity and timeliness of email communication.  It also helps 
establish communication so if I am unable to answer their question or 
address their concern via email, I can encourage them to come to the 
Breastfeeding Support Group.

All mothers are invited to the Breastfeeding Support Group held at a 
local hospital; the group is free for all mothers and babies.  Once 
attending group, we invite mothers to our online support group.  The 
online group is by invite only and ALL mothers who attend the BSG are 
invited; I facilitate the group and the online discussion, but the group 
is member lead.  The members helped create the online group (creating 
name and criteria for membership) and we all have a lot of fun.  

What is nice is that the members, who appear to be the shyest in 
group, tend to post the most in our online discussions.  We have fun 
discussing articles and new research and the moms really like hearing 
suggestions for different issues.  

My favorite part of my role as a lactation consultant is the support 
group, I love observing how relationships form, thinking evolves, and 
those who came to the group as “takers” become the “givers”.  I see 
the same trends emerge in our online group, but I feel strongly that the 
online discussion is so successful, because we also meet in person; 
therefore, the relationships and respect for each other are more sincere.

Casi


Cassandra P. Leahy
BA, RN, MSN, LCCE, IBCLC
[log in to unmask] 
www.thelactationlady.com

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