The anti-breastfeeding climate in the nicu is a result of ignorance. The
best way to change the climate is education. These nurses mean well, they
really beleive that bottle feeding will get the babies home sooner and this
is the best outcome. They really beleive that breastfeeding is 'harder' on
the baby, etc. They just do not have enough information. Changing their
knowledge level is not too too hard, but changing many years of entrenched
attitudes is very hard.

I have had some success from posting articles frequently. I post articles
about kangaroo care, donor milk, etc. I also post articles that have nothing
to do w/ breastfeeding but have something to do w/ infants. Like a recent
one I had about liver failure related to congenital syphilis. This shows the
staff that you read and keep up and share info. They may come to see you as
an expert and have more respect for you. Don't always use the same journals,
try to find articles or abstracts from many sources. I also leave any
conference brochure I get if it's related to infants/nicu. Even if it is not
breastfeeding related.

It is so wonderful to walk in and see a nurse reading one of the articles on
her down time. I hate when nurses read junk magazines or catalogs at work. I
keep journals at my desk and when I have a moment maybe waiting for a
consult who is a bit late, I will read an article.
Good luck.

Laurie Wheeler, IBCLC, MN, RN - 11 yrs exp. nicu nurse/head nurse
New Orleans Louisiana, s.e. USA

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