I had to chime in on this one. Aren't we as health care providers  
responsible for informed consent?
Our job is to go over all the variables with the mother and allow her  
to choose what she feels is best, not what we thing she should do (I  
avoid the answer to "what would you do if this were your baby?" as  
best as I can)
We have not allowed people to remain ignorant of cigarette dangers.  
We have done our best to inform the public about the hazards of  
artificial baby milks. We should carry that forward into every thing  
we do.
The example of starting the mother of a preemie pumping after 5 days  
of nothing is a good place to begin. First we have to educate those  
caring directly for the mom and baby in the immediate postpartum  
period the reason we have to get these moms pumping ASAP at least  
within 24 hours. It is unconscionable to let them continue telling  
moms to just start pumping and every thing will be OK. Perhaps I am  
being an idealist when I believe that if the care givers only knew  
how the body works to make milk (basic physiology) they would be less  
apt to give out such stupid information.  (OK so I AM a dreamer)
When it comes to things I AM responsible for, I tell the truth, speak  
for the one who can't speak for himself, and really try to avoid  
embellishing a point of view that would sway her in a particular  
direction. They will not always make the right decision, a far a we  
are concerned, but hopefully they have made the right decision for  
themselves.
Marie Davis RN. IBCLC

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