I have visited about 4 hospitals in my area as an IBCLC to a new mom. They
have been at night or on the weekend when no other IBCLC could be found. They
were all at the phone request of the family involved.

One mom was bleeding from both nipples and the night nurse informed me that
the volunteers in the nursery were giving the baby pacifiers. I did some basic
repositioning and used a nipple cream. The mom was determined and was doing
very well by the next day. The nurse was very defensive and wanted to know
what I did that she did not do. Why did I have to come to the hospital at
11:00 at night? Why couldn't the mom wait until the morning for the hospital
LC to come in? I calmly talked to her and tried to break the defensive
barrier. I did tell her that both of our goals were to help this mother. We
ended our visit on good terms.

The other visits were all very positive and the nurses were thrilled that I
could come and help. Some hospital security people seem a little confused at
my services until they call the nurse's station on the floor I am going to.

I think it would be harder to go to a hospital when their own staff is
available and can certainly understand why. But if a mom is having
difficulties with breastfeeding, and it is an hour that no one is around to
help, I do not think they would have a problem with someone providing services
to help.

Annette Leibovitz, IBCLC
Buffalo Grove, IL