To any of you who were following my post on my Friday the 13th meeting with
the pediatricians, just wanted to tell you that in general the meeting went
very well.  The new head of the pediatric department fired off the questions
left and right and I guess I did a good enough job to satisfy him.  He left by
saying "I love lactation consultants".  The down side is that my "consent form
for supplementation and/or use of pacifiers" was shot down.  They felt it was
too "harsh".  This was a victory for the non-breastfeeding nurses in the room
who have hated the form from the beginning.  The upside is that it was asked
of all nurses to inform the patient VERBALLY and that the nurses be
accountable for discussing risks of early supplementation and pacifier use.
The way I look at it, the end result is now they don't have ANYTHING to
complain about us with.  One of the breastfeeding advocates called me last
night.  She is having a terrible time getting Lactnet on her computer and
asked me to ask all of you "What should I tell the mothers who ask for
formula/pacifiers now?  How much detail should I go into about risks of early
supplementation?  Do I discuss allergies, diabetes, SIDS, etc. etc. etc.?  I
want to know so that I am now held accountable for NOT informing a patient of
the risks."  I told her it would not be wise to SCARE the patient, and why not
use the information that was on the form (it was simple and straightforward
and from the AAP guidelines).  So, I am wondering, what to all you LC's tell
patients who ask for supplementation or a pacifier?  I am interested (and so
is she) in your input.  TIA.
Loni Denman, LC, IBCLC