Mary Kay said,
***************************************
I wonder if we asked: "what do you need to know about feeding your baby?" or
"How can we help you feed your baby?" and hope that she doesn't say....give
me bottles. :-)
*****************************************
I had a very interesting experience yesterday. Our dd is pregnant w/ our
first grandbaby, and yesterday was the breastfeeding class at the hospital
where she is to birth. (Though I have a sneaking suspicion she will DELIVER
there, if you get my drift). Anyway, since her husband had to work, I offered to
go with her, and she said I could if I would promise to not say anything.
Duct tape in hand, I attended. It was taught by a former L&D and Peds
intensive care nurse. She had evidently taught this class for some time, as she
really knew her material. Unfortunately, the material she knew was woefully out
of date, as were the slides she showed -- some being nearly 20 years old (I
knew the "model" and her baby in the slides). It was a three hour class with
one 10 minute break. No introductions except of herself. After each
segment she would ask if there were any questions, but rather than starting the
class with something along the lines of "tell us what you have heard about
breastfeeding," or "Tell us what you would like to get out of this class" she
jumped into her spiel and didn't let up for the three hours.
1. Lots of really OLD information -- and lots of bf myths perpetuated. I
have some fresh information for one of the lectures I do on breastfeeding
myths....
2. Info on pumps absolutely HOPELESS -- she told the class the goal when
using a pump was to get to the point where the both the cycles and the "vaccum"
were as high as possible (cringe!!)
3. If you need to see the LC at the hospital, let the nurse know, and they
will see you sometime before you go home (Oh, THAT is useful when the baby
won't latch NOW)
4. Lots of rules, including a full feeding is 10 to 15 minutes; anything
shorter than that is snacking, never let the baby fall asleep at the breast,
and only use one breast per feed.
5. The AAP says that you should exclusively breastfeed for 12 months. I
did speak up then and said in an incredulous voice (sounding very much like a
grandmother) -- "You mean you don't start solid foods until the baby is a year
old??? In an annoyed tone, she said, "Well, of COURSE not. YOu start solid
foods at 6 months. I meant FORMULA." (Then why didn't you say so?
Exclusive also means no solids.).
There was more, but I'll spare you. I was glad I was there so I could
correct some of the misinformation for my daughter. That is not to say it was all
bad -- there was some good stuff -- the best being that each mom got a copy
of Amy Spangler's book (YAY Amy!!). But my real feeling at the end of it
was, "Why on earth would anyone want to breastfeed? Way too many rules -- it is
so COMPLICATED -- why even bother? She SAID babies take bottles much easier
-- just give me a bottle." Interestingly enough, other than saying she had
breastfed her own children, there was no real enthusiasm or excitement about
breastfeeding -- nor any real reason why anyone should do it. So, Mary Kay,
if they DO ask for the bottle in L&D, perhaps now we know why -- at least in
some hospitals, in some cases.
I do realize that not all breastfeeding classes are like this, especially
those taught by lactnetters! I've never attended one, ever. This was my
first. (I've taught 'em, but never gone to one). I think it should be a
requirement that anyone who is going to teach bf classes at the very least be a
regular reader of Lactnet. At the very least, they would learn new and updated
information on a regular basis.
Jan Barger, RN, MA, IBCLC
Wheaton IL
www.lactationeducationconsultants.com
***********************************************
To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail
To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest)
To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
All commands go to [log in to unmask]
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(R)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html
|
