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Subject:
From:
"Karen Kerkhoff Gromada, MSN, RN, IBCLC" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Mon, 13 Sep 1999 18:32:17 EDT
Content-Type:
text/plain
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Re: << I don't necessarily think most women need expertise on a level higher
than mother-to-mother to successfully nurse their babies.  In a way, this
harkens
back to the earlier discussion of pumps and the common perception that these
are needed for successful nursing.  Does every new mother need an LC to
learn to nurse her baby? >>

Rhonda, I basically agree with you on this. Breastfeeding ain't and shouldn't
become like rocket science, but it is a learned behavior. Unfortunately, a
lot of babies in our culture are born after all kinds of medications and
interventions that can affect breastfeeding ability for a while and may need
the rocket science for a period of time. (There's a few unmedicated ones that
have initial difficulty too, although less often and usually lasting for less
time.) Many new moms today have never seen a baby breastfeed before they give
birth, much less see moms work through minor breastfeeding difficulties.
Many didn't seek a peer network prior to delivery, and somehow they have to
find who and how to get in touch with mother support groups by going through
the mounds of papers they're given prenatally and in the hospital after
delivery! These moms need someone to show them the ropes. LCs are more likely
to be in the hospitals immediately after birth or the ones HPs refer to. And
many moms are getting the idea from other moms that they are going to need to
pump--just like they get the idea the need to carry one of those
ergonomically unsound carseat/infant carriers around vs. holding the baby or
carrying baby in a sling/carrier!

BTW, most, if not all, LCs love when only minor fine-tuning works. Our
standards of practice state we are to refrain from "unnecessary or excessive
use" of breastfeeding equipment and devices. Many of us do a lot of helping
via the phone. Many LCs are hybrids--a crossover of group support leader with
HP. We are not all rocket science oriented. Do many of us need to get to know
and appreciate better the gifts each role has--both when breastfeeding is
going well and when a difficulty occurs?

Karen

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