Even though we as LCs see this happening with US, we need to know it
happens in many other "helping" professions...and even those that are NOT
considered "helping" professions.

It seems to me that this is one of the ways that the American economy keeps
increasing its "productivity" - to the expense of our physical,
psychological and emotional health.

I see this in myself - yes, I get paid for 40 hours of work - and then
spend a good additional 20 - 40 hours (don't you all) on Lactation-related
activities, some related to my job, some related to my volunteer work (ILCA
and LLLI), some related to my keeping myself updated (Lactnet, watching new
videos, reading JHL, etc.)

...but we are NOT the only professions doing this!

My son's girlfriend, though she is paid (what she calls) "sinfully" well as
a financial analyst for a big company, sat with her co-workers and figured
out their average pay if divided by the number of hours they put in a week
(often over 100), and it wasn't so impressive.  They usually have only half
a day free per weekend!

One of my sons works for a large research company - also puts in well over
8 hours per day - much to the chagrin of his wife and cutting in to the
time he would like to spend with his babies.

Another of my sons is a PhD student - and THEY, like Medical Residents, put
in extraordinary hours for well under a living wage (especially here in
California).

My husband used to put in those hours...and worked his way up the ladder in
business - but finally came to the realization that even when he DID put in
all those extra hours - little came of it in terms of rewards - financial
or professional - and he was losing out on "quality of life".  He now works
8 - 10 hours per day, walks out of the office and closes the door even when
the work is NOT done.  At our age he has no interest in promotions - which
would require the 12 - 14 hour days.  AND he doesn't have a mom and baby to
leave behind to fend for themselves - he's in engineering!

HOWEVER...Most of us cannot just "walk away" from a mom and baby - we know
that if we do, this breastfeeding may end, and perhaps this mom and baby
may be in medical crisis!

So what to do?  An example of effective support was done when we worked for
the UC Davis study of "normal" weight/growth for the new WHO charts (still
not out - probably a couple of more years)  with Jane Heinig. Any mom I saw
one day that I was worried about, I could leave a note to the next LC to
follow up with a call or a visit.

We need to develop this "tag team" approach and know or help create good
resources in our community.  We also need to develop good communication
(despite HIPAA) among ourselves.  THEN we CAN walk away, knowing that there
WILL be someone else to pick up where we left off and continue the support
this mom and baby need.

The next question is, of course, who will pay for this?  I have no answer -
especially here in California, where our jobs are on the line thanks to the
current state Fiscal Crisis.  Some families can pay for this themselves,
and perhaps the new National Ad Campaign will increase not only the
priority of breastfeeding but the need to put LC services UP on our
priority list (perhaps even before fancy strollers) of mother/infant needs
and gifts (an LC visit is always my gift to a new mom when she is not from
my area).  The families I work with would not be able to pay for this - so
additional programs, grants, ideas need to be developed for them.  Those of
you who have come up with or created viable programs - share your
knowledge!  Those of you with ideas - take the chance and go for it!

Most importantly help each other to avoid "working for nothing" because in
reality - you won't be able to keep this up, and we need you!

Jeanette Panchula, BSW, RN, PHN, IBCLC
NEW e-mail address: [log in to unmask]

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