Just caught up today with a week's worth of journals and am surprised that I
am the only one posting this-which bodes well for the rest of you.
     In June we began a local breastfeeding coalition with  as many
disciplines represented as possible-WIC, MDs, hospital LC, (certified and
not), LLL, Private practice IBCLC (me), hospital nurses, nurses in pediatric
offices, etc.  Our first goal was to recognize World Breastfeeding Week.
  (BIG SIGH HERE)
     The smaller of the two local hospitals had a small display with a pump
company, LLL and private M.D. in attendance.  Also the hospital IBCLC, who
was offering her own (hospital-produced) breastfeeding pamphlets and also
formula company pamphlets.  Also, there was a gentleman dressed in a cow suit
offering back massages, and the dispaly from her elementary-school aged
daughter's science project of bacteria growth in ABM and EBM.  This was in a
small room off the cafeteria for one day, and not well attended.
     The larger of the hospiatals had a huge week-long dispaly in the lobby
staffed by L&D and maternity nurses and set up by the non-certified but
functioning as LC.  There was a small amount of material provided by LLL, a
small pump company dispaly(on the day I was there), give-aways of fruit,
lollipops and staff raffle for a free lunch in the coffee shop.  AND huge
amounts of every kind of formula-company generated material give-aways that
you can imagine, including discharge packs for everyone (with a free can of
ABM).  (ANOTHER BIG SIGH).
     Both nurses responsible are part of the coalition, and it is important
to keep good relations with them, but we do need to talk about this at the
next meeting (Tuesday noon).,  I might add, I am not the only person (thank
goodness) who thinks this less than appropriate.  And the people involved
think they have done a great thing, getting so much exposure for
breastfeeding.
One pump rep had offered to get someone well known in the field to come down
and do an in-service.  But in the meantime, I want to start the dialogue
Tuesday.  I will mention "What other floors offer discahrge packs?  Why is
the company giving us these nice things?"  etc.  Any other usable ideas?  By
the way, the larger of the two hospitals is getting a new NICU this year.
 Guess who built the last one?  And probably this one.
    TIA, and if you think it more appropriate, certainly I will be glad to
accept private postings.  Maybe no one else has to cope with this, though I
doubt that, too.  Thank goodness for all the small victories-Ellen in CT
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