I second Anne Norton's comments.The other day I got a call from a crying
mother who had called the hospital back when her 36 weeker was not eating
(after being discharged in 24 hours). The mother was told baby could go 48
hours before "having" to eat and to give the baby pediatlyte if she needed
water.

I saw the baby the very next morning (she called late Sunday night) after
telling the mother to send dad to the store for formula (she had no pump
and no milk in the house, only baby water and pediatlyte.)

When I saw the baby, she had strated feeding again, but poorly on breast,
so mother got a pump and began gettin gsome of her own milk (is now giving
mostly that). Doctor ordered bili lights as baby's bili was 25 mg%. I am
folloiwng mother closely (MD said not to come badck for another 3 weeks!)
Baby's bili dropped 2 full points in less than 24 hrs after getting at
elast 12 oz of milk (mom's + formula) and getting light therapy.j

So it is not only private LCs who may be contribuint to the problem. Mother
was told to call hospital for questions (without charge).  But whomever she
talked to (L&D RN) certainly did not demonstrate knowledge of appropriate
breastfeeding assistance and NEVER asked if baby was term or not.

One of the reasons for IBLCE was to provide a recognizable certificate that
could distinguish between knowledgeable and (less)knowledgeable people.

I feel strongly that the organizatons/companies that provide 1800-listings
should be REQURIED to identify the qualifcations of the persons' listed:
thus, IBCLCs would be listed in a separte group from others without that
qaualification. At the very least, I feel that distinctions should be made
between pharmacies that carry pumps but have no knoweldge advice-giver, and
rental stations (sometimes the same problem) and LCs who also carry
equipment.

Do others feel as I do?

Thank you, Anne, for raising this issue.  If we can all refrain from
flaming, this discussion might generate some really creative solutions to
this problem.
(If we refrain from flaming, does this mean we have a flame-retardant list?)

                                :-)




Def. of LC service: "We are all faced with a series of great opportunities
brilliantly disguised as impossible situations."
Kathleen G. Auerbach,PhD, IBCLC (Homewood, IL)- [log in to unmask]