This is a late response to Dr Alla Gordina's post. I agree that it is
inappropriate that the health insurance sector doesn't regard adoptive
breastfeeding as part of lactation and it seems the coding depends on
definitions that don't fit the whole range of human lactation.
Lactation is more robust that is generally considered, probably because many
clinicians today only see breastfeeding as a short-duration situation
between a birth mother and her baby - started and soon over. Mothers
breastfeeding the babies they gave birth to can and do come in and out of
lactation, with an older baby or toddler who was an experienced breastfeeder
returning to the breast for comfort after an interval. Yes, even when the
mothers aren't motivated to relactate - but the child is. (See references
below.) One step further on is induced lactation done on purpose, whether
for the birth mother's baby or an adopted baby. It is still part of the
wonderful tapestry which is the diversity of human lactation. It looks as if
the insurers need more exposure to this aspect of human lactation and the
needs of the adoptive and foster mothers who breastfeeding their children.
As you say, "it is an up-hill battle, but it can be won", and the way to do
it is to keep on keeping on, keep making claims for reimbursement, keep
talking to the insurers.
References:
Phillips V [Thorley V]. Relactation in mothers of children over 12 months. J
Trop Pediatr 1993;39:45-48. [middle-class Caucasian Australians - written
under my former surname]
Thorley V. Relactation: what the exceptions can tell us. Birth Issues 1997;
6(1):24-29.
Marquis GS, et al. Recognizing the reversible nature of child-feeding
decisions: breastfeeding, weaning and relactation patterns in a shanty town
community of Lima, Peru. Soc Sci Med 1998; 47: 645-656.
Virginia
Virginia Thorley, OAM, PhD, IBCLC, FILCA
Lactation Consultant (original cohort of 1985).
Cultural historian of the History of Medicine.
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Website: www.virginiathorley.com
[log in to unmask]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----- Original Message -----
From: "Alla Gordina MD, IBCLC, FAAP" <>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, September 12, 2013 7:55 AM
Subject: Adoptive breastfeeding
> To continue with the subject of adoptive breastfeeding.
> Unfortunately adoptive breastfeeding is not fully recognized as a
> legitimate process on so many levels (coding and insurances included).
>
> IMHO the only way this situation can be changed is by keeping the issue in
> the public eyes as much as possible.
>
> It is an up-hill battle, but it can be won. And by saying "the up-hill" I
> do also mean the actual direction of information from the grass root
> movement of dedicated mothers to the higher echelons of medical and
> adoption/child welfare establishment.
>
> Last month I was happy to meet during the NACAC (North American Council on
> Adoptable Children) annual meeting in Toronto adoptive and foster mothers
> who did breastfeed their kids. And this November both New Jersey and New
> York adoption conferences will finally hold adoptive breastfeeding
> workshops!
>
> Alla
>
> --
> Alla Gordina, MD, IBCLC, FAAP
> General Pediatrics
> Breastfeeding Medicine
> Adoption and Foster Care Medicine
***********************************************
Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome
|