Dear Friends:
    I have had a rough time for the past 6 months, as my private practice got
very ill from health care politics, and hasn't recovered.
    I am now working as a plain old nurse, making home visits to brand new
mothers and "still wet behind the ears" babies. Making practically no money, but
that is better than no money. Setting my own schedule. Seeing only a few
cases, not rushed, so I still do a job I personally feel proud about.
    I won't see bottlefeeding babies, at least not now. I told them in the
office that it would be stupid to waste my skills and experience on mothers who
are not breastfeeding. I don't want the high paying jobs which always involve
making babies bleed, like phototherapy.  I want the good old-fashioned couple
of hours with a new mom and baby to talk about everything.
    After at least 16 years of private practice around town, and seeing to
many horrendous things too often, I can happily report that there is a lot of
really good breastfeeding going on out there!! I have used the phrase "perfect
breastfeeding" to so many mothers this past few weeks, after we look at the
scale. Today, naked baby girl was 3+ ounces over birthweight, on the 4th day of
her life!! Mothers all have their own styles, they feel good, and their babies
are gorgeous.
    I still know there are plenty of sad cases. However, I only rarely got to
see great breastfeeding in private practice. Folks would call for help after
2, 4, or 6 weeks; you all know what I mean.
    This is a treat, and more than compensates for the lack of money.
    And hospital LCs, and childbirth educators...........the message is
getting out there. These new mothers are dedicated, and figure it out quickly.
    I am there at the best time to say"You are asking me if it is alright to
sleep with your baby? As long as it isn't on a waterbed or a sofa, and nobody
is drunk or stoned or overheated." I am there to say "You are doing such a
great job with your baby."
    This is an awesome job!
    warmly,
Nikki Lee RN, MS, Mother of 2, IBCLC, CIMI, CCE, craniosacral therapy
Adjunct faculty, Union Institute and University, Maternal and Child Health:
Lactation Consulting
Supporting the WHO Code and the Mother Friendly Childbirth Initiative

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