Barbera:
There was a recent posting regarding "I am looking for an article I've
seen once that describes the benefits of breastfeeding, starting with
for just a few days, up to child-led weaning and then goes on to
describe benefits for increasing periods of time.
It's from Diane Weissinger's handouts and can be viewed online at
http://www.wiessinger.baka.com/bfing/index.html
for a very nominal fee you can purchase all of Diane's wonderful
handouts for
copying and distribution." The one mentioned is one of my favorites as
well.
Perhaps giving this article to your med-surge nurse can help her to know
that she gave her baby the best possible start ever! The BEST first
month ever! Also, you may be able to encourage her to indeed cross-train
to OB and be able to give the kind of BFing support that may have been
unavailable to her. You touched her heart in a painful way, but an
honest way. Also, letting her know that bonding is a process which
happens with or without BFing and the things that BFing guarantees such
as skin to skin contact and lots of holding can still be accomplished
between her and her newborn.
Fondly,
Suzanne Franklin, SNM

Barbara Latterner, BSN, RN, IBCLC
Brewster, NY


>>> [log in to unmask] 11/07/03 20:08 PM >>>
I had a terrible experience yesterday that I need to share with some
sympathetic ears.  I was given the privilege of teaching a small group
of
med-surg nurses who wish to cross train to OB, about breastfeeding.  I
asked
around at the beginning about their previous experience with
breastfeeding
and one of the young nurses told us that her experience was one of
failure,
four months prior when she had her first baby.  She was unable to get
him to
take the breast and the only lactation consultant available at that
hospital
was unfortunately away on vacation.  She left the hospital pumping and
bottle feeding ebm for a month before she stopped.

I began the talk mostly showing how to latch a baby and talking about
feeding cues etc.  At some point I resorted to our class outline that we
use
in our breastfeeding class for expectant moms.  While I gave the list of
advantages of breastfeeding, she became visibly upset and then promptly
left.  I felt and still do feel awful.  I could have been more sensitive
and
played down some of the more touchy-feely advantages...I think it was
those
that really blew her away.  I got her phone number and called and left
an
apology on her answering machine.

It's probably a good thing that we work different shifts on different
floors.  (She has worked there for three years and looked unfamiliar to
me).
Don't think she'll choose to cross train now.

Anyway, I'm not quite sure what to do with this now.  It certainly was a
lesson on thinking before speaking.  I sure wish that I could go back
and do
it all (right) over again.  It feels awful to have hurt someone so much.

Priscilla Tansley RN, IBCLC

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