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Subject:
From:
"Jaye Simpson, IBCLC" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Sat, 7 Mar 2009 08:18:01 -0800
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>>So while I have sympathy for the single mother who depends on pump sales
or rental to make a living, I cringe to think that >>one's finances
determine the products offered rather than a decision based on best
practice, yet we don't see the conflict of >>interest here.

 

Respectfully I resent this comment.  If any of you out there would like to
supplement this single mother's income by offering me some sort of on-line
BF related job or distance BF counseling please do so.  I am available.  I
earn approximately $300-$500 per month with my rental stock of 5 pumps and 2
scales.  That may not be a lot to some folk, but to me it is clearly the
difference between feeding my kids and paying my rent or having to choose
between the two.

 

Now to repeat myself:

 

First:  I, for example, depend on my skills as a Lactation Consultant, which
are damn good, to help my clients NOT need pumps.  When moms who are not
clients call me to ask about pump rental, I first find out why they need one
(triage), if they need a consult I offer it.  I offer them other places to
rent that may be closer to them so they can get their pump faster if at all
possible and if money is an issue there is only one place in town that is
cheaper than me to rent from and I give them that information. I currently
have 3 of my 5 pumps out to moms who must work to support their families and
one to a mom I am working with who I sent elsewhere first but had to come to
me because the other place (a local hospital) was out.  She wanted me to
have her business because she KNEW she would get a good price and excellent
care. 

 

Second:  When I became an account holder for Medela they were NOT a Code
violator.  The products are good, they are well known in my area and this is
what moms want.  Ameda is not well known here and I WILL NOT risk my family
or my business to change out at this time.  Choosing Medela at that time was
the BEST decision to make.  I have worked too hard to become self-sustaining
with this career choice and it is not my fault Medela went to the unethical
side of life.  When my pump rental account came due this January (to the
tune of $1700+ for pumps and scales) I had to make a choice:  Do I take the
pumps and scales away from the women who had already paid for them through
March and refund them money and send them elsewhere or do I commit for one
more year and during that time look again into a different pump company?  It
was in the best interest of my clients and my family to do one more year and
research better alternatives.  It was the best decision possible - not one I
liked but one that was necessary.  Also, I currently do NOT recommend the
Pump In Style or any of Medela's purchasable pumps to anyone because I
personally think they are worthless.  I do not sell them.  I will not sell
them.  I encourage moms to buy the Ameda Purely Yours as I believe it to be
a superior pump, even tho there is no place here in my area from which to
buy spare parts.

 

Third:  This comment suggests that I, or others in my shoes, are not capable
of making sound decisions regarding, have no issues with, or are unaware of
the conflict of interest issue.  If you knew me you would know that to be
FAR from the case.  I believe I have posted on here before (last year) with
my own frustrations with the conflict of interest problem regarding Medela.
I have posted several times recently about the frustration I have with this
situation and how I feel like I am currently stuck between a rock and hard
place.  Ditch Medela or feed my kids.  What would YOU have ME do in this
situation?  I have NO ONE to fall back on - I get no child support, no
alimony - nothing.  Hell, I don't even qualify for state assistance programs
because I make just about $50 a month too much to get food stamps - and yes
I finally had to swallow my pride and go ask.  While I am OK with this and
prefer it, it does leave me in a precarious position.  I am here presenting
another side to this issue to the rest of you, baring my life, my struggles
to support my family and my frustrations and how it directly affects us
little people struggling to make a living.  I cannot work for anyone else at
a normal job due to permanent injuries and I must spend my hard earned money
each month to maintain some level of physical functionality in order to work
my own job.  This is MY LIFE.  It is not easy but I love it and while I have
to deal with the conflict of interest daily I work my butt off to make sure
that I am NOT in conflict about how I present the products I have to offer.
Parents are ALWAYS told they can purchase elsewhere and exactly where.  They
are NEVER obligated to buy anything from me ever.  

 

So, I fail to understand how anyone can then turn around and make the above
statement as if I (and I am assuming I am the single mother in question
since I am the only single mother making comments about this and how it
directly affects my ability to feed my children) or anyone else are not
aware of or care about the inherent conflict of interest I find myself in
because Medela went stupid.  The problem I see here is a lack of
understanding of what I have already written about numerous times and
compassion for someone in a position others clearly are not.  

 

Respectfully submitted and now done with this discussion,

 

Jaye

 

 

 

Jaye Simpson, IBCLC, CIIM

Breastfeeding Network

Sacramento, CA

www.breastfeedingnetwork.net

 


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