Someone, in this discussion of credentials, brought up that breastfeeding is
not well covered in nursing school.  Someone else then used the argument
I've heard used over and over again that some things have to be left out
since there is so much to learn, and that we can't really expect nursing or
medical school to cover everything in detail.
I have to disagree that it's acceptable, or even understandable, that
breastfeeding is often given very little time.
I have spent over 6 years of my life breastfeeding. Every single woman who
gives birth is faced with the decision on how to feed her baby.  To have the
entire medical and nursing profession for the most part receive no education
on how to help makes no sense at all.
It would not be acceptable for anyone who cares for patients to know nothing
about any other body system.  It should not be so for breasts and breastfeeding.
Even the nursing students who rotate with me while they are taking their
maternity care class have had no education about breastfeeding.
I realize that specialist level training cannot be provided for every area
of the body, but I feel every nurse and doctor should have a basic
understanding of the breasts and bresatfeeding, and furthermore know where
to refer someone when they are out of their league.
Jennifer Tieman
Family Physician
Mom to 4, including my toddler nursling Caroline Rose

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