In a message Anne wrote:

<<I am curious what kind of attendance you all get at breastfeeding classes
on the wards.>>

In the morning, the LC gets a quick report on all the breastfeeding moms. Out
of 16 to 18 moms on postpartum, many days I find all are breastfeeding,
certainly most are. The nurse will tell the LC which moms are planning to
attend the 10 AM class. Attendance depends largely on the postpartum nurse.
Her attitude and facilitation are crucial.

Nursing administration expects the breastfeeding teaching checklist to be
completed during the patients hospital stay. It is the postpartum nurse's
responsibility to complete the breastfeeding teaching checklist, unless the LC
happens to see that patient and fill out the checklist, along with charting
the visit. The nurse is motivated to facilitate her patient to attend class,
at least somewhat, due to the fact that for those patients attending class,
the breastfeeding teaching checklist will be mostly or totally completed in
class, by the LC. We used to get 3 to 4 moms/babies regularly, then a gradual
increase to 6 to 10, sometimes more.

Also,  a nurse commented to me the other day:"I just love breastfeeding class
- I can get some paperwork done!", meaning when her patient is occupied in
class for an hour the patient will not be pressing the nurse call button. So,
figure out how the postpartum nurse will benefit from getting her patient to
breastfeeding class, then sell that to the nursing staff - you are "The Spin
Doctor".

Deb

Deborah Tobin RN BSN ACCE IBCLC
Springfield VA