The hospital where I am employed as the sole LC is a similac hospital.  This
means that Similac is the artificial food of choice and the company has
donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to the NICU and the department.  I
have managed to stay out of their way, turning down all sorts of offers
including money ( lots of it) dinners, food, mugs, key chains,
conferences,furnishing for my breastfeeding room,  etc.
Now they have me in a dilemma.  There is a baby fair in August and they have
a huge exhibit there.  They want to do something in cooperation with our
hospital.  Some of our midwives will give natural childbirth courses, and
now they want me to manage a breastfeeding corner.
I , of course, refused. There is no way that I can sit under the sign of
Similac and give breastfeeding advice.  The hospital administration thinks
that I am being fanatic.....that "f" word again!!!  I said that my
professional code of ethics prevents me from participating in any event
sponsered by a formula company. Does anyone know where exactly that is
written?  I can't find it, and I just tried to phone the IBLCE office , but
it is Sunday and it is closed.
Does anyone have a good reply to the inevitable argument that it will be a
wonderful way to reach even more breastfeeding mothers?
My argument is that the artificial milk companies should be teaching mothers
how to prepare bottles and not teaching breastfeeding.  Many moms have no
idea how to prepare bottles, sterilize utensils, or bottlefeed their babies.
That is what the companies should be providing, and leave the breastfeeding
to us.
As one of you wise ones once said: "Would you want the benefactor of your
life insurance policy to be the one who teaches you parachute jumping?" (who
said that anyway?  I quote it so often, I would love to give you credit!)
But they argue that S. is all in favor of breastfeeding, but when the mom
decides to quit, they are there for them.  ( They are even willing to help
them quit!!)
If the head of the hospital puts my job on the line, I will quit, and S will
be the winners in the end.
Have any of you ever been in this situation?  What did you do?  Everyone at
work is trying to convince me that artificial milk is here to stay and we
have to join them. Take them for all they are worth.
Never, not me.  Maybe this is their way to get me out of the hospital?  The
formula rep who thought of this brilliant idea knows me well enough to know
that there is no way I will agree to this.
Any advice will be greatly appreciated....I have a meeting with the hospital
administration tomorrow.
Esther Grunis, IBCLC
Tel Aviv, Israel
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