I am a lactation consultant in private practice .... who holds the contract 
to provide lactation consultation services to my local hospital.  I see moms 
on the floor, follow up with them (briefly) by phone after discharge, and 
send their names on to the local nursing mothers' support group.  I think 
this is a win-win situation for several reasons: the hospital isn't 
entangling itself with a new employee, and the LC isn't caught up in 
hopsital staffing dramas, because she is an independent contractor -- coming 
and going as the job is done (just like the babyphotographer).  (I, in turn, 
have subcontracts with several other IBCLCs to help me fulfill my 
contractual duties.)

I suggest you start out offering to work every other day, whether it is a 
weekend or not.  That is how my contract was originally arranged (altho the 
hospital upped it to 6-day-a-week coverage a year or so later).  Most Moms 
are in the hospital for two nights ... so if you get there at the same time 
(probably the morning hours), you should see every Mom at least once before 
her discharge.  If you have that rare Mom who delivers after you leave one 
day, and who plans to go home before your next scheduled day, you could have 
the staff call you to come in.

(Kudos to Debi Page Ferrarello IBCLC for taking me on as a subcontractor 
many years ago; when she retired from lactation consulting, I was able to 
take over the hospital contract I am referring to.)

Liz Brooks, JD, IBCLC
Wyndmoor, PA, USA

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