In the NICU I work in, our babies are seen by the LC's, but ultimately it is
the physician who drives oral feeding issues. This LC may be in the position
of having to meet the expectations of a particular physician. 

I know our mothers get told all the time that their babies will need to
bottle feed to be able to go home. It's not right, but all we can do is
whats ordered most of the time. We also have no facilities for our mothers
to stay in while their babies are in the NICU, although we do have open
visiting. An occasional mother is able to get a spare hospital room for a
night or two, but it is not the usual practice. I have nurses tell me
frequently "Mom can't be here for every feeding!" I reply "Have you asked
HER?" Some mothers have opted to rent a hotel room nearby and come in for
every feeding when offered that opportunity. 

All of these things stand in the way of successful breastfeeding, and while
the LC may not be pushing babies to the breast, her hands may also be tied
to some degree in the issue. 

Michelle Meeks

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