Chris wrote about nicu nurses and asked "How can I change attitudes?"  that is THE question isnt it?

   As an L&D nurse, I have to deal with the majority of nurses around me who are blatantly anti- breastfeeding-  - but we have to remember that often these nurses attitudes have taken a lifetime to formulate- and there really isnt any way we change their attitude- THEY have to decide to change it themselves- so how can we do that? how can we give them the info and tools to want to change their attitude regarding infant feeding?

well- I would politely assert that "mandatory classes" on breastfeeding, as someone else suggested,  is not the way to change someones fundamental attitude on  breastfeeding.  Giving already overworked and overtired nurses mandatory classes on something they already resent is not going to change their attitude on a subject except to help them further resent it.   we all know one takes their baggage into any class and filters thru the info presented with tinted glasses.
unless you get some fantastic speaker with a really unique approach- its just going to be the same old BF propaganda to them.

I choose my battles- I stongly suggest discussing the specifc incidents with the nurses themselves- deal with it head on with individual nurses involved- this shows them that you care and will take time out of your life to discuss their/hear concerns- and do just that-- ask them why they didnt get an LC consult sooner/ why they  gave the bottle etc. try to get specifics and deal with those.  usually nurses want specfic help on an issue/bf technique-  practical tips they can use with their patients next time- I love sharing bf timesavers.  I tell them to put a sleepy baby skin to skin for 30 minutes and go off and get something else done- they love that!

as for the posters- this nurse is just like so many i work with- she probably calls you a "Nipple Nazi" behind your back or worse.  For me, I have chosen to use humor as often as i can- and its not being wimpy- its because I see this as a long term struggle and a cause that is worth fighting for on a broader scope.  With humor we can win people over so easily and they usually arent even aware they are being "persuaded" while they are laughing.

I am gradually seeing a difference in attitudes of the L&D and nursery nurses I work with by doing 2 things-

 1.getting "over it" and just laughing things off stupid comments instead of always responding with my 100 reasons to breastfeed mantra and
 2. putting my body where my mouth is-- they all know when I'm working and a mom/baby is having trouble breastfeeding- they can ask me to go in and help- and I will- even though I am not getting paid any extra and it puts my other work behind-- but I do it- every time I am asked

you see- this is the  bottom line- a breastfeeding patient costs a nurse time-- and anyone who has ever worked as a nurse should know that time is everything-- you have to get all your work and charting done in a specified amount of time- or you stay late! (or you dont have enough time to sit at the desk and chat and eat donuts with your nursy buddies- i know!)

either way- the no 1 complaint I find from the aniBF nurses is that it takes them so much time helping these primips to bf-- and so these simpletons dont see why they should bother.  I really have tried to gauge my adversaries- i mention that Jesus was breastfed quite often when I can work it into the conversation- my tactic is to kindly and gently share the normalcy and joy of breastfeeding with them and over time I feel many will come to know that it is worth the bother for themselves and for their patients.

in the meantime- be there when they call- the best way to motivate them to "care" about breastfeeding is to demonstrate your conviction and expose them to positive bf experiences as often as possible.

(jumping off my very tall soap box, ouch!)
Mary HerringtonRN, L&D, lactating as I type
St Lukes CMC The Woodlands




---------------------------------
Do you Yahoo!?
 Discover all that’s new in My Yahoo!

             ***********************************************

To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail
To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest)
To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
All commands go to [log in to unmask]

The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(R)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html