Again -  sitting here reading lactnet, I feel that people are attacking
an entire profession due to the actions of a few.  I am an RN, and IBCLC.
You have to remember that you are talking about professionals, if you give
them information - that is presented in a PROFESSIONAL manner - backed by
documentation - they will teach and help to the best of their ability.  That
is what nurses do.  I feel that if you have a problem with gaining the
support of your nursing staff in teaching and supporting breastfeeding
mothers -  it is not the fault of the nursing staff - it is the fault of the
lactation department.  In the 12 years that I have been helping mothers,
many changes have occurred, before becoming IBCLC certified I depended upon
our lactation consultant to keep me informed about these changes.  She not
only did that well, but I believe also gained the support of our staff.  She
did this by giving inservices, talking to the nurses in a professional
manner - not by writing in to lactnet complaining, or writing an incident
report.
      I believe that if you go to these nurses that you feel are
unsupportive and do provide them with medically based information on the
benefits of breastfeeding - teach them how to help these mothers and what to
say to them - you WILL gain their support.  Nurses like to help.  The first
time she feels the satisfaction that comes with helping a mother breastfeed,
you will have turned her around.
       I along with my colleges of the past 12 years - 5 of us who were
originally nursery nurses -before becoming a mother baby unit, work very
hard to help mothers breastfeed.  We put a lot of effort in to it.  We take
pride in our work, and take it personal when someone writes something bad
about our profession.  As for us maintaining our skills.  Two of the five of
us are IBCLC certified - this was done totally on our time (with the help of
our lactation consultant) we do not receive any financial bonuses for having
this.  All 5 of us are NAACOG certified and NALS certified - both of which
have more strict maintenance requirements than IBCLC.
      I suggest that you work along with you staff, instead of  against
them.  I think that you will find it works.
Stephanie Mabin RN,C. IBCLC

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