Refer those mothers to La Leche League!!!

LLL is free and is "staffed" by Leaders who have expert breastfeeding knowledge and can offer the mothers the unique perspective of "I've been there, I've done that".

Also, while many LC's get mothers off to a great start (overcoming initial difficulties) La Leche League gives mothers long term support.  Mothers who attend La Leche League socialize with other mothers who have long term breastfeeding goals (nursing for one to two years, or more) are able to be in an environment where breastfeeding is a cultural norm.

It sounds like you teach in an area with more than one hospital, so there are probably several active La Leche League Groups in your area.  Collect brochures from the Leaders in your area and hand those out at your classes.  

Hearing a medical specialist talk positively about La Leche League is the best type of endorsement and goes a long way to encourage mothers to seek out and attend their local La Leche League Group.

Michelle Swanson, LLLL
Wyoming, USA
:-)

--- [log in to unmask] wrote:

From:         Todd & Rita Madden <[log in to unmask]>
To:           [log in to unmask]
Subject: Community breastfeeding support
Date:         Mon, 19 Nov 2007 09:55:34 -0800

Hello Lactnetters!  
  How ironic that this situation should come up as we are discussing politics...I am currently teaching childbirth classes for a local hospital.  My classes are mother-friendly and we discuss many birth options (not just hospital policy and procedure).  In my breastfeeding class (which is my favorite since I just passed the IBCLC exam this year), I supply my participants will all of the numbers for local breastfeeding support persons in our area.  This includes all of the local LCs, some of which are employed by competing hospitals.  My director "updated" my flyer removing the numbers to the competing hospitals as well as the other pump rental/sales options.  (The hospital I teach for does not offer pumps for rent/purchase.)  This is not in accordance with my idea of helping mothers make an "informed decision".  I could go on about my beliefs, but this will suffice for now.
    
  What can I do?  I cannot give only the information that the hospital wants me to give.  That creates a real internal conflict for me and is not benefitting my participants either.  Maybe it should be an all or nothing situation?
   
  Thanks in advance for your wisdom.
   
  Rita Madden, RN, BSN, IBCLC
   

       
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