Hi!  Late this afternoon, a WIC nutritionist who is the BFing guiding light in
the small town where I am currently working came in to brainstorm with me
about  the direction of the small BFing Task Force that they have forced
recently. I suggested that they may consider working this year  toward
creating a Bfing policy for the hospital, with the goal that this could be the
springboard for HCP education. She asked if there were some facilities who
would share their BFing policies with this facility. This is a small facility
with about 800-900 deliveries/yr. One group of Peds and 2 groups of OB/gyns.
WIC BFing rate of about 24% at delivery. Hospital Bfing probably not much
higher.
She also was interested in learning more about the ethical/liability issues
surrounding nurses who supplement without medical orders, and nurses who
accept gifts from ABM companies.
Interesting that this conservative town with a very small BFing Task Force
last year got a grant to do BFing education to  business leaders.  They did a
great handout on worksite BFing support and mailed to members of the Chamber
of Commerce and followed up with personal phone calls and contacts to
personnel offices and managers.They also contracted with me to do a
presentation to the Chamber of Commerce on Worksite BFing policies and
support. It was a very interesting evening.
I appreciate your help with the hospital BFIng policies.
Barbara Whitehead, IBCLC
eastern NC