Dear Lactnet,
This was sent to me by a lcoal IBCLC, Ann Calandro. She gave me
permission to share it, but give her the credit she deserves for authoring
it.
Happy Monday, Jan Ellen Brown IBCLC in Charlotte, NC USA
Ten Daily Reminders to Myself
Reminder One
Start each day with a prayer and a hope that you will be a blessing to
someone that day.
Reminder Two
Remember that sometimes you bless mothers with your knowledge and skill,
other times you bless them with your kindness and compassion.
Reminder Three
Treat every mother and every baby exactly the way you would want your own
daughter and her baby to be treated. Listen to what she says. Listen to what
she does not say.
Reminder Four
Focus on the fact that you are a consultant. You don’t command, you suggest.
Parents are free to make their own choices even if their choice is different
from the one you suggested.
Reminder Five
Stay alert for “teaching moments” and embrace them- with parents, staff, or
guests. You never know when you might change the world.
Reminder Six
Keep interested in learning and growing. Read, read, and read some more.
Stay in touch with other lactation consultants. Burnout is rampant. Go “back
to the well” at conferences to refresh yourself. Take some time off just to
be.
Reminder Seven
Never say never. You will eat that never some day. And remember what Thumper’
s Mama said, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.”
Reminder Eight
Save every note, picture, email that you receive, ponder them, and keep them
close to your heart. There may be days when these are the only things that
keep you going.
Reminder Nine
Cherish every person you meet that loves and supports breastfeeding. You may
not agree with everything they think or say but our strength and success lie
in unity of spirit. Let them know you appreciate them.
Reminder Ten
Be ethical in everything you do. If your Mama wouldn’t be happy with what you’
re doing, don’t do it. You might be the only lactation consultant that some
people will ever meet. Therefore you represent every lactation consultant in
the world.
PS
Try to stay humble, even though you secretly know that your job is the most
important and life changing job in the whole world.
Ann M. Calandro, RNC, IBCLC
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