Kathleen and all,
I am also sickened to read this story. I am heartsick reading the many
stories that affirm this is common practice. And my own new place of
employment I don't think I can stomach much longer. The director stated when
she hired me that she wanted to make changes and improvements but she is not
following thru at all. Today, for example, I had 3 bf moms to see. One had
very large breasts and nipples and the baby had never latched and also was
not being allowed to bf at times due to pain meds, she had not bf yet at
about 17 hrs old. The baby was getting formula. No offer of expressing. The
2nd mom had a baby born at 36 wks. About 28 hrs old and had never bf yet. He
is getting formula. No offer of expressing for him. Another mom from Africa
states she will start bf once she goes home. No one questions, explores, or
offers any other options. The mom relates to me that she bf her first child
for 7wks with extreme nipple pain and trauma and finally gave up. Declined
to begin bf with help in hospital. One last case, a followup call for a baby
born at 35 wks: Baby is kept in hospital for phototherapy; mom being told
not to bf becoz the bilirubin is coming down better on formula. Forget the
fact that I predicted this baby would have high bili due to ineffective bf
(which everyone ignored until I had an altercation with the nursery staff),
and that plenty of breastmilk which mother has, would have the same effect
as plenty of formula - the bili will come down. I think I convinced this mom
to continue bf and supplying ebm, there is no magic ingredient in formula
that is making the bili come down, as the nurse led her to believe.
Really, I don't think I can last as a lactation consultant much longer.
After 10 yrs of doing only this, and not really seeing any improvement in
the hospital setting - honestly - I am seriously considering giving up. I
know that will take one more warrior out of the battle, but my mental health
is suffering from this constant battle. In the last 5 yrs I can't really say
I have seen any improvements in the New Orleans area.
Laurie Wheeler

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