Pamela wrote:  I feel relatively welcomed when I go in
whereas I know that when an occasional LLLL goes in (at visiting hours) and
the staff become aware of it, there is always resentment.

As a lay breastfeeding supporter I have always been fine with the staff on my
occassional visits to hospital.  However a thought - Pamela, you go on to
describe how you talk to the nurses before seeing the mother and after.  This is
obviously part of the team work and your professional practice, great.  However,
my code of conduct as a lay supporter (and maybe for LLL too?) is that
everything the mother tells us is confidential, unless we think the situation is
one of harm to either mother or baby and must be reported.  (I have not been in
sucha situation in my 11+ years).

I find HCPs often know that ihave visited a woman, and want to chat about her.
They may want to know the outcome, or learn more about the situation they
refered the woman for.  I understand that, but I can't chat without the woman's
permission.  I know it can lead to difficulties.  Especailly when I worked in a
hospital breastfeeding support group!!  I felt that what mothers told me was
confidential and only if they wnated me to pass info along, could I really do
so.  I think it made some midwives feel that I was stand-offish.  I tried to
explain, but I don't get the impression they had much respect for the kide that
a lay worker could have strict guidelines.  (Both organisations Ihave worked
with have modeled the code of conduct partially on counselling codes of ethics
-- using a different model from a different profession).

Magda Sachs
Breastfeeding Supporter
The Breastfeeding Network.
Saddleworth, near Oldham, Greater Mancherster, UK