Clients that seem not to try very hard are a big part of my LC frustration.
The healthcare system being mother- and baby-unfriendly is another big
frustration. I accept that alot of the mothers lack of success is due to the
healthcare system and culture etc. But still I'm sure there are many of us
who, on some really frustrating days, think "why is she wasting my time?"
(After all, we're only human).
Here's a very typical example: A mother states she wants to breastfeed. She
is supported and encouraged by the LC. She has successful feeds. At night
she has the nsy feed the baby formula. The next day the LC comes back and
they start again, but the mother says "not right now I am going to take a
shower (baby is actively rooting)" or "I'll try later." Sometimes she says
this the very first day and doesn't do more than 1 or 2 feeds in a 24 hr
day. I don't get it, but it could be modesty or any number of things. Most
of us are too busy to really actively listen and figure it out. Maybe we
never would figure it out.
This same mother is going to call later with engorgement problems, breast
refusal, and/or milk supply problems, you can bet. I usually chart that
mother declined assistance and that mother has been asked to page me for
next several feeds to assist her, if desired. I generally tell the mother to
call me when she is ready for assistance. This should 'prove' to the
supervisor that the LC was willing and able. I'll also chart that I gave her
anticipatory guidance about milk supply, engorgement etc.
I ask mothers about how long they think they might bf. Many say 6 mos or
more, and I discuss with them that exclusive bf is the best way to get
there and the high risk of early weaning with immediate start of partial bf.
I have taken to asking some of these reluctant bf'ers to rate their desire
to bf 1-10. The mother that I just described above rated it an 8 but never
did really *do* it more than a couple times. This happens alot and since I
will just about go to the ends of the earth to help a mom, it is a major
frustration for me.
Laurie Wheeler, IBCLC, MN, RN
New Orleans Louisiana, s.e. USA - where there is one pediatrician who has
ordered that no one (no LC nor nurse) is to instruct or assist "his"
patients with bf. He orders Q4H feeds, water in between, 20 min. total, and
cereal at 3 wks. I knew the day would come that he would do that. Yes, we
are fighting this nonsense. Talk about frustration!
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