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Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Sat, 16 May 1998 18:14:30 -0400
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Hello, I'm Gail Hertz MD, Pediatric Resident, my disclaimer is  that  I am
the author of the little green breastfeeding book and owner of Pocket
Publications that publishes it.

Hi Mira and everyone.  Thank you for the nursing names posts TO MY EMAIL -
the response has been great, please keep it up.--sorry for any
inconvenience.

As for teaching doctors, that has been a project of mine for about 5 years
now and I'll share what's worked for me.

1. Pick two simple concepts you would like to teach well - build on those
two points [my favorites are "Breastfeeding is good" and "Demand brings
supply".

2. Stick to the basics with how stuff works "Demand brings supply" for
example so they can take general things and apply them correctly.  Give
example of positive "frequent nursing during growth spurts"  and negative
"unnecessary supplements".

3. Be upbeat and informative - not accusatory (regardless of how tempting
that may be) - humor and cartoons are a great tool.  Discuss things in a
"here's the latest on breastfeeding" tone - This allows people to save face
if there's anyone in the crowd doing all the wrong things.  Keep in mind a
few things here - doctors are not well taught about breastfeeding - if they
are even taught at all  and  they are only trying to do their best with the
information they  have.

4. Tell them what's in it for them.  examples are babies stay healthier
(this can mean fewer night calls, fewer sick visits in Dec., fewer
hospitalizations)- this is especially good under capitation...   It will
draw patients that want to breastfeed into the practice...

5. Give them a good handout that covers the basics - I'm partial to pocket
size stuff - otherwise articles tend to get tossed in a pile and forgotten.

6. Don't talk the whole time - be available to answer questions  in a non
threatening manner at the end (you've already set that tone with your talk)

7. Realize that you won't change everyone or every thing, but each time you
help another person [doctor, nurse, whomever] learn a better way to help
moms you are making progress and those other people are also going to be
setting a good example, too.

Good luck with your teaching ! (sorry this was so long)

Gail Hertz MD
Peds Resident
Owner of Pocket Publications

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