I wonder how many of you have had an experience like I have had.

I once  helped  a mom breastfeed in a difficult situation. She had a
premature baby, in hospital,  and was not pumping enough, or putting the
baby to the breast enough either.  Baby was getting a lot of bottles....mom
was exhausted. ..lots of visitors, and not a lot of time at the breast.
Thrush involved as well.

Mom was thrilled initially with the information and help, and baby was able
to get to breast. However, the next day, mother had so many visitors that
she did not breastfeed at all.  She was also not pumping enough.  I ended up
stressing the fact that if she was not breastfeeding, that she should be
pumping to maintain supply. Baby was hospitalized, and getting a bottle of
ebm q 3 hours.  I encouraged her to pump, and better yet, to put her baby to
the breast, asking for a cot if necessary, so that she could rest and be
around to breastfeed as much as possible.

She then let me know that she appreciated the help, but that she had to be
flexible, because she wasn't sleeping at the hospital. Obviously, she felt
pressed, and pressured, and was feeling that the whole thing was
overwhelming. I was surprised at the fact that she was so overrun by
visitors that she wasn't able to feed at all....even once...in the day
following our work together.

Has anyone ever felt as though they had turned a mother off with what they
felt was good information and encouragement, and that they then had the word
"ZEALOT" branded on their forehead?

Yipes.

Kathleen, who wears the term Zealot, I guess. Self doubt creeping in...

Kathleen B. Bruce, BSN, IBCLC co-owner Lactnet,TLC, Indep. Consultant
Williston, Vermont
mailto:[log in to unmask]
LACTNET Archives http://library.ummed.edu/lsv/archives/lactnet.html