Hi Julie,
At the beginning of my career I really thought that I had to be THE one to
save a mom and her breastfeeding experience. I would walk through fire, and
if someone asked me to call someone - I was right there trying to be there
for that mom and her baby. Slowly I learned that it is sometimes the
relative or friend who initially called us who wanted the mom to breastfeed
more than even the mother herself. After 25 years in this business, believe
me, I learned...I NEVER (and I never say never!) call anyone and will always
give that relative my number and tell her that the mom can use it day and
night, but that the Mom herself has to be the one to approach me.
Regarding telephone help, we all get all kinds of calls, some with no intent
to see or pay for services. We also have to be sensitive to our OWN needs
and learn to draw the line sometimes. I find that many new moms need help
just when our day is over.
I have received calls late at night and as early as 6:45 a.m.!! If it really
is inconvenient then you could probably refer her to La Leche League where
there are support lines in certain areas of the USA if I am not mistaken.
Here in Israel we have a very active support line of La Leche League, and I
am always happy to encourage the mom to talk to someone who is there JUST
for her, and of course ex plain that unfortunately at this very time, you
cannot give her that time that she deserves because you are at a wedding,
or whatever. She will appreciate that more, than trying to repeatedly hear
her story, when you cannot give her undivided attention.
Regarding reduced fee or free work, I think we all do that to a certain
extent. Those that can well afford private LC's will always pay and those
that cannot - it is usually apparent upon meeting them for their first
consult. Every profession I think has a certain percentage of pro bono work,
why should we be different? I work privately, but also run a neighborhood
small group clinic (up to 3-5 moms with 2 of us working)
at 1/3 of the price. Twice a week it is usually full up. Runs for about 3
hours. Even to this clinic, there are those who cannot pay the reduced price
so we just ask for a donation. (the clinic is part of the non-profit
parenting center that I have been running for 20+ years, called Mamash)
Hope some of this helps.
Ellen Shein, IBCLC LLLI
Tel Aviv
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Mon, 7 Jul 2008 20:45:19 -0800
From: Julie Johnson <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Being paid what we are worth
I just had a phone call the other day...a woman left a message and asked =
if I would call her friend up who just recently had a baby and needs =
someone to tell her how great breastfeeding is. She also mentioned that =
she was getting depressed and having a hard with breastfeeding and that =
she would really benefit from talking to someone who knows about =
breastfeeding. This isn't my first call like this. I don't see the =
rationale behind this. Anybody else get calls where people want you to =
call their friend, sister, etc and talk to them about breastfeeding? I =
don't see people calling their doctors and telling them to call their =
friend who doesn't feel good.=20
I have also had a call recently where the mom wanted some help, =
encouragement and reassurance but didn't want a consult. How do you make =
the call short when she is crying on the other end and you have left a =
social gathering to take the call? And wanted a few extra days to a week =
to see if her breastfeeding situation gets better before I come out. Never =
heard from her again.=20
Or those that question whether you can really help them or not yet they =
called you? I don't get those calls. I don't have time to convince someone =
to have me come to their home.=20 =20 I will be happy to help those who
really want help and can't afford it. I = have gone to a consult recently
with a lovely couple who really could not = afford my fees. I gave them the
star treatment, reduced my fees by 50% and = walked away feeling good
because the couple really wanted to breastfeed = and gave their all to
listen to every word I said. I will be happy to = reduce my fees if not
offer for free for people who truly want help and = truly can't afford it.
=20
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