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Subject:
From:
Wendy Blumfield <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Fri, 8 Aug 2014 10:55:25 +0300
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Susan Burger`s post presents a frustration that I share, not only as far as 
lactation is concerned but also choices during labour.
A qualified counsellor needs listening skills and empathy before she even 
starts to learn the physiology and problem-solving techniques.
When I used to co-ordinate the training courses for the Israel Childbirth 
Education Centre, our academic committee insisted on getting all the 
candidates together for a full-day orientation workshop, not only to explain 
the programme, conditions, costs etc. but more importantly to see them at 
work in a group.  We invited an organizational psychologist to set projects 
and tasks and then sat with him afterwards to compare our analyses.  This 
way we screened out those candidates who did not have the potential to 
listen to their clients and those we thought would  project their personal 
bias, prejudice and sometimes anger that they themselves had not had the 
perfect birth or breastfeeding experience.
Not all training courses are so careful about screening and on many 
occasions when I have been the "second referral", I have heard stories of 
women who do not want to consult with their childbirth educator on a 
postnatal problem because she will "be angry that I took an epidural", or a 
lactation counsellor who is setting unrealistic goals for that mother.
Peer support is very valuable and in every stage of my own life, I have 
found that I could solve a lot of problems by sharing them with my peers. 
But at the same time mothers should realise that their peers have their own 
story to tell, every baby and mother relationship is different.
I am very concerned about the trend to refer to internet forums.  In the 
same way, if I do not know a client from my prenatal course, I do not like 
to counsel over the telephone.  It is only when I sit with the mother (and 
sometimes the father and the grandmother too) that I can get a clue as to 
why a problem has arisen and how I can help her.  Not to mention the fact 
that I cannot check mother`s position or baby`s latch-on through the 
telephone or computer!!
While internet forums and peer groups are invaluable in raising awareness 
and increasing knowledge, nothing replaces the experienced qualified 
counsellor.  It`s rather like the value of internet forums for learning more 
about healthy life-styles but nevertheless needing a good reliable medical 
practitioner when one has a health problem.
May we all have a quiet peaceful weekend.
Wendy Blumfield
NCT Trained Tutor Childbirth Educator/Breastfeeding Counsellor 

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