At the excellent ABM conference in Chicago in Oct. 2003, Paula Meier
discussed a study done by one of the Rush-Presbyterian Medical Center nurses
seeking her Ph.D.  The syllabus (and my notes) don't accurately remind me if
this study is completed, but the findings are illuminating.  The query:  do
moms who had no original intention to BF feel "guilty" if they are
approached by the NICU staff to discuss the important of breastmilk for
their babies?

The Rush Medical Center data shows that population groups most likely to
have a NICU baby (low income, African American, young) are also the same
groups least likely to BF.  40% of the mothers of VLBW babies had not
intended (during pregnancy) to BF.  After birth, this group was approached
by staff (MD, RN or IBCLC), to explain the importance of providing mother’s
own milk in the care of these tiny babies.

100% of the “approached moms” said that learning their milk was superior
caused them to *change their minds* about BF.  All denied feeling “coerced,”
and 100% felt rewarded by their decision to provide milk for their babies!
Being approached did not induce “guilt” in the moms at Rush.  Indeed,  the
mothers could recall even months later the exact discussion they had with
the doctor, nurse or LC.


Liz Brooks, JD, IBCLC
Wyndmoor, PA, USA

_________________________________________________________________
Tired of slow downloads and busy signals?  Get a high-speed Internet
connection! Comparison-shop your local high-speed providers here.
https://broadband.msn.com

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

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(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html