In a message dated 10/19/0 1:47:33 AM, [log in to unmask] writes:
Betty wrote:
<< According to Locklin and Jansson (1999), home visits by nurses
experienced in maternal-child health and lactation who support
breastfeeding and manage potential problems not only are economically
prudent but also protect the newborn at risk for lactation failure.
This failure could become very dangerous for the newborn.  It could
lead to dehydration, weight loss, and hyperbilirubinemia. >>

When I ran a BF Peer Counseling Program, all of my staff (the PC's) were
required to do home follow-up on their clients within 24 hours of discharge.
All of our clients were also seen every day in the hospital, as the PC's did
Rounds every day. The outcomes of this intervention among our low-income
clients were very obvious.

Linda wrote:
<<Our home visit nurses have to have at least 5 years of

OB/nursery experience, and have had the CBE course by Debbie Bocar.  They

are all encouraged to go on and achieve their IBCLC, as much of what we do

focuses on bf support.  I am proud to report that out of seven home visit

nurses, four are IBCLC! >>


Lynn wrote:
<<My qualifications and background are not typical, however. Most RNs that I
have met do not have the range of background and most are not IBCLC. In my
mind, the most integral part of my job is providing breastfdng. support. >>

This is very important. In my experience, some help isn't necessarily better
than no help. Unfortunately, it tends to be the case in my state that
visiting nurses have a very broad range of bf knowledge. Usually the most
committed take it upon themselves to support bf and become educated. Often, a
visiting nurse who sees a mother pp will give her misinformation (often
overreacting to weight, etc) w/o telling the mother she is not knowledgeable.
The more misinformation a mother receives from HCP's who are perceived as
those who "ought to know", the harder it is to overcome. So, while pp support
is critical, IMO, it does matter very much who is giving that support.
Jennifer Tow, IBCLC, CT, USA

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