Dear Lactnet,
    This was sent to me by a lcoal IBCLC, Ann Calandro.  She gave me 
permission to share it,  but give her the credit she deserves for authoring 
it.
Happy Monday, Jan Ellen Brown IBCLC in Charlotte, NC USA
 
Ten Daily Reminders to Myself 

 

Reminder One

Start each day with a prayer and a hope that you will be a blessing to 
someone that day.

 

Reminder Two

Remember that sometimes you bless mothers with your knowledge and skill, 
other times you bless them with your kindness and compassion. 

 

Reminder Three

Treat every mother and every baby exactly the way you would want your own 
daughter and her baby to be treated.  Listen to what she says. Listen to what 
she does not say.

 

Reminder Four

Focus on the fact that you are a consultant. You don’t command, you suggest. 
Parents are free to make their own choices even if their choice is different 
from the one you suggested. 

 

Reminder Five

Stay alert for “teaching moments” and embrace them- with parents, staff, or 
guests. You never know when you might change the world.

 

Reminder Six

Keep interested in learning and growing. Read, read, and read some more.  
Stay in touch with other lactation consultants. Burnout is rampant. Go “back 
to the well” at conferences to refresh yourself. Take some time off just to 
be.

 

Reminder Seven

Never say never. You will eat that never some day. And remember what Thumper’
s Mama said, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.”

 

Reminder Eight

Save every note, picture, email that you receive, ponder them, and keep them 
close to your heart. There may be days when these are the only things that 
keep you going.

 

Reminder Nine

Cherish every person you meet that loves and supports breastfeeding. You may 
not agree with everything they think or say but our strength and success lie 
in unity of spirit. Let them know you appreciate them.

 

Reminder Ten

Be ethical in everything you do. If your Mama wouldn’t be happy with what you’
re doing, don’t do it. You might be the only lactation consultant that some 
people will ever meet. Therefore you represent every lactation consultant in 
the world.

 

PS

Try to stay humble, even though you secretly know that your job is the most 
important and life changing job in the whole world.

 

                                     Ann M. Calandro, RNC, IBCLC

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