Dear Lactnetters,

  I am very sad to report that I will be closing my private practice
(office Space) as of Feb.1st. The area (Atlanta) has become totally
oversaturated with IBCLC's IN the hospital that see outpatient's free.
Pump depots are on every corner,@ $30.00 per month. And now, with the pumps
in baby stores,,,, who can compete with cheaper pumps and free consults???
  I spent 4 months last year trying to get compliance to the Pricing policy
of the pump that is sold.  I think that it is very much a regional
situation.   I was the FIRST person in the Atlanta area to rent pumps and
eventually opened an office.  @ one time, I had 150 pumps rented out.
  I am grateful for the pump discussions that have gone on lately. As of
last week, I am no longer renting pumps to the general public... partially
due to low prices... ie, NOT worth the hassle & a lot due to the fact that
I provide a FREE hotline for the breastpump company and the constant calls
for PARTS drove me crazy. I will still have them if needed in a
consultation. My name should be off the BNN in one more week.
  I am moving the business back in to my home, for now.  My voice mail is
very clear.  I am no longer going to be a retail place to buy stuff or rent
pumps and then get "sucked dry" for information. MY love has always been
the one on one with the mom and baby. So I will still be available as an
LC, for now. I may actually make MORE money!!!!!!! or I might go to the
hospital and work.
  I want to point out that most of the IBCLC's (in USA ) have been a huge
FREE sales force for the Two big pump  companies.  Their sales have soared,
thanks to us.... now EVERY mother knows which brand to buy and they will go
right past us and rent @ a pharmacy or buy in a baby store.
  My family needs me to end the insanity.
Even though I have tried to limit this to school hours... it doesn't work
and I am tired all the time...especially of the beeper... and questions.
LC BURNOUT big time. I want to go back to really being MY KID'S MOM!!!!
  Thanks for listening.
Patti Carroll, RN, IBCLC ( Former LLL leader)