This is my first posting here and do it with some trepidation as
perhaps I am way behind the times. I am an IBCLC - since '97, working
as an RN in a Level 2 nursery in a rural hospital. Sadly, hospital not
interested in hiring an LC but work with a wonderful group of nurses
and peds who really want to get b'feeding off to a good start. We
deliver 900+ a year.

Problem:  until recently have autoclaved breast pump parts using a
well known company's autoclave. We were all quite happy with that. No
problem until bio-med tech. disposed of the autoclave without giving
us a chance to see if it could be resuscitated. We have inadequate
facilities in the pt. rooms for cleaning their own pump parts - tepid
water is one major problem (I am not going near that one! Goodness
knows what a tepid shower must feel like post-op!) Do you - hospital
based LCs - supply moms with their own brushes, soap, basins etc? What
about charges? One mother came back to us from a Level 3 center saying
that she had to wash all her equipment with her fingers - but that
hospital did have very hot water! What about "infectious" problems -
have just had a baby with serious thrush. No problem for us before
because it was so easy to sterilize pacifiers to which this baby was
addicted, breast pump parts etc. Does anyone sterilize anything any
more? Hospital is unwilling to pay for even a bottle sterilizer. I
would love to hear from any of you out there who would be willing to
share what you do at your hospital. E-mail me privately if you prefer.

Thanks in advance - I have learnt so much from Lactnetters and never
thought I would actually ever communicate with you!!

Susan Brewer RNC IBCLC

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