In a message dated 5/10/2002 10:19:20 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:


> she is a MOTHER,
> >grown up, and we should instruct them to call us if they have the need,
> >and
> >leave it at that.
>

Veronica and Lynn make some good points.

An option for f/u is to provide a management plan before d/c that includes
specifics on how to evaluate intake, output, wt status, how to work toward
transition to BF, .......and options for f/u resources, ie; for moms who
resist or cannot afford a f/u consult they can be instructed on how often
they should call your warm line and attend a bf moms group for f/u and wt
check, go to ped for wt checks......., and then yes, I agree we sometimes
have to let parents take the responsibility to seek and secure f/u as
instructed to do so if we have given appropriate education and comprehensive
information.

Relying on the LC taking the iniative and responsibility for f/u by being
able to reach postpartum parents by phone can be risky also, ie phone numbers
and names change, no answering machine, people move away.... nothing is
fool-proof, so giving parents options for f/u can be helpful.

Debbie Tobin
RN BSN IBCLC LCCE
Springfield, Virginia USA
In the Fairfax County suburbs outside the Washington DC beltway

             ***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html