Hi friends,
I just wanted to explain why, even though I have been a member of LLL
for 14 years, a mother/baby nurse for 10 years, and an IBCLC for 5
years, I do not choose to apply for leadership with LLL.

In the classes I teach, it frequently gets very negative when it's time
to discuss what to expect while in the hospital.  Unfortunately, most of
the women in this multiples class deliver at just one of the many
hospitals nearby.  This facility requires all babies be able to bottle
feed 8 times in 24 hours before being dismissed.  Breastfeeding babies
as well as bottled ones. :(

They have not, at this time, been willing to gavage feed preemies who
were capable of bottle feeding. Nor will they consistently feed anyway
other than bottles. They require all babies to be given sugar water by
bottle after birth. Yes, they do have a LC there, however this is the
same place that encourages moms to place grape jelly on their nipples so
that the babies will like the taste.

I am far more critical and judgmental in these classes than I could be
as an official LLLL. I realize that as long as I was clear about my role
in the class as being IBCLC and not LLL, I could proceed, but I am sure
that at some point, LLL would get flak for my views and outspokenness.
I have found LLL to be a tremendous resource and when I got pregnant
with my eldest, now 13, I just assumed that I would nurse her because my
Aunt was a LLLL and I had been immersed in breastfeeding "forever".

--

Denny Rice, RN, IBCLC
Dallas Texas USA

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