Dear friends:

I am surprised at how much I am learning about bottle-feeding and about
formula.  This knowledge was not part of my educational goals when I started
working in the breastfeeding arena. It has evolved for several reasons.

1) Moms separating from their babies to return to school or paid employment
have to know how to express and store their milk, and how to have that milk
fed to their babies. It is logical for me, as their LC to provide this
information.

2) Moms that would never breastfeed will pump, sometimes for years, to feed
their milk. It is logical that the LC should help this mother.

3) When a breastfed baby is not thriving, the baby has to eat something
while mother's supply is rebuilding. If human milk isn't available, then
formula has a role. So it is logical for a LC to know about formula.

4) Our competitors are very knowledgeable about lactation. It behooves LCs
to be knowledgeable about them, so we know what we are up against. Plus LC
understanding of the formula industry will enable us to better understand
and support the WHO Code.

I've learned how to bottle-feed using the paced-method taught by other
infant feeding specialists and therapists. I've learned to avoid powdered
formula or fortifier at all costs. I share this information in my
teaching. At our local WIC office and when speaking to nursing students, I
give a presentation about bottle-feeding because my goal is to promote
relationship.

As a result of working in this arena for several decades now, I appreciate
the necessity to know about alternatives and substitutes for breastfeeding
and for human milk and feel that it is a necessary part of my clinical
practice.

warmly,
NIkki

Nikki Lee RN, BSN, Mother of 2, MS, IBCLC, CCE, CIMI
craniosacral therapy practitioner
www.breastfeedingalwaysbest.com

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