I have been trying to get a new private practice off the ground and am
wondering if any of you visit moms in the hospital and did  you need to
obtain approval to see them there?  I requested that I be able to see [my
patients only] after delivery, but the hospital says I must be
credentialed first (have physician backup, show educational background,
etc.  and pay a $350. application fee).  Needless to say, the $ is a real
deterrent. I had hoped to be able to visit moms soon after delivery to
observe feeding and provide assistance early on.

Do you think it is worth the yearly fee to have access to the mom/baby in
the first few days?  I have requested that the hospital reduce the
application fee but they refused because *they see me as competing with
their program* (which I developed and started, but that's another
story...)

Thanks.
Beth McHugh, RN, BSN, IBCLC
Teton Lactation Consultants
Idaho Falls, ID

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