Hi Betty,
I am a visiting nurse in a maternal and childhealth program. I work for
Visiting Nurse Service of New York, for the past 21 years. We are a not for
profit organization, getting our referrals from hospitals, doctors, insurance
companies and from the patients. We must have doctors orders for all visits,
and many are reimbursed by medicaid and other insurance companies. We see
everything from antepartum, postpartum, newborn and pediatrics. I do see a
lot of breastfeeding moms, my visits definately make a difference. Since
breastfeeding is my passion, I tend to spend lots of time with these moms.
For me, it is instant gratification to go to a home, mom wants to nurse but
hasn't yet, and I can help mom to get the baby to latch on. Those visits
definately make my day, a great one. For the moms who are not as successful
on my first visit, I follow-up with a phone call the next day, and try to
revisit that week if possible. If it is a managed care, I must be careful in
my report to have a "skilled nursing need" and unfortunately bf is not
considered a skilled need. I also, on my own, offer them my email address
and/or work phone number.
I believe in my heart that with some moms, they would not have nursed if I
hadn't been there. I am not so humble to think it is me personally, but the
added support and encouragement from someone who knows something about bf.
Email me privately, if you have any further questions I can help you with.
Roni Chastain, RN,LCCE, FACCE
Long Island, New York
<<  What are your qualifications?  Do you feel they benefit the breastfeeding
woman?  Are these visits through a home health agency or a hospital?  Are
these
 visits covered by health insurance?  I would appreciate any information
 you could provide on this subject.  >>

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