I have not worked in our hospital for several years now so don't know if it
is a "policy", but I know that we as lactation consultants absolutely wore
gloves when working with the moms and their babies in the NICU.  Even tho
you scrubbed in each time you entered the NICU, you still put on gloves
before touching the mom or baby.  It doesn't make much sense to wear them to
touch the baby but not when touching moms breast because then the baby gets
put to the breast.  These babies are compromised in some way and we don't
need to further compromise them with any of our germs.

 

I remember a few times after scrubbing in when my plan was to just "chat"
with the mom, teaching and answering any questions she might have and so
didn't automatically glove up.  I also remember how I felt like I was being
watched by the nursing staff, as if they were wondering why I didn't glove
up.  If something changed and I ended up being "hands on", then I would don
gloves, but later just put them on every time, so that everyone could relax
and know that I was not going to share any unwanted germs by mistake or
neglect my universal precautions training.

 

Do I wear gloves with my moms/babies in my non-hospital clinic setting? Not
all the time tho I wish I did and I know I should - as I feel it is more
professional!  And if you watch any of Barbara Wilson-Clay's video's you
will see that she is wearing the clear non-latex gloves in all of them. (I
mention that as someone had mentioned that they never saw any videos that
had lactation consultants wearing gloves) When we touch woman's breasts all
day long - we think nothing of it.  It is our job.  But we need to be
professional. Our clients are not used to having strangers touch their
breasts.  My female doctor has never done a breast exam on me with her bare
hands.  Does the urologist who examines penis' all day do so without
gloves???  

 

I think after writing all this I have convinced myself of the importance to
ALWAYS wear gloves. 

Just my .02 worth!

 

Linda Hill RN, IBCLC

Capital Pediatric Group

512-454-4545 x 235

www.capitalpediatrics.com

 


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