In a message dated 1/24/2007 2:13:40 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
[log in to unmask] writes:

What are  some of the tenets in *your* personal code of ethics?

Diane Wiessinger,  MS, IBCLC  Ithaca, NY  USA
_www.wiessinger.baka.com_ (http://www.wiessinger.baka.com) 
 
Interesting question.  I try to always remember that the ultimate goal  of 
every mother baby relationship is for the mother to feel right about herself  
and her mothering. The early years of breastfeeding matter, but  so will the 
years to come beyond that.  If I make her distrust herself  or feel a failure as 
mother from the beginning, I worry it may follow  other decisions she will 
need to make as mother.  Breastfeeding,  breast milk feeding, all alternatives 
available are not the most primary  issue.  The issue is the mother needs all 
the information I can offer her  and my trust in her to know how to use it.  
Even when I think I would do  different, I hope my message is that I trust her to 
know what is right and best  for her baby and herself.  I see so many 
trainwrecks I need to be able to  help her salvage her mothering even if we cannot 
salvage breastfeeding.  I  do my best to honor her as a woman and be open to 
where she is and hopefully  help her along, but I won't drag her kicking and 
screaming and add to her pain  by belittling her experience or making her feel 
inadequate.
 
I will not lie, I will not cover up a lie, I will not make believe the  
misinformation she was given is correct.  Hence my serious concerns with  'do not 
contradict' .  I will not allow a mother to be told something that  is 
detrimental to her breastfeeding or mothering experience and not provide the  
alternative information she has a right to know. I will always choose to tell  the 
mother what other information is available and let her decide what to do  with 
the knowledge. To do less is patronizing and shows disrespect to her  
intelligence and ability to make her own life choices.
 
When I feel at risk for burning out, I take a day off.  Leave a  message on 
my voice mail for other help available and put myself and my family  first. I 
have found a day of turning my brain off really helps.
 
My other huge personal code is to be open to changing my mind.  To see  that 
there is more than one way to solve the same problem.  To never assume  my way 
is the right way or the only way.  To respect the different opinions  and 
styles of my colleagues even while I am adjusting their directions if the  mother 
and I find it necessary. To remain up to date on knowledge of lactation  even 
if what I am learning is so different from what we learned 20 years  ago!   
To honestly say "I do not know" if I don't.
 
I can't wait to read others personal codes and find new ones to add to my  
own.
 
Best,
Pam MazzellaDiBosco, IBCLC, RLC
 
 

 

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