Hello Lantnetters
I have a problem that I'm looking for a little help with.  I am a
hospital-based LC (the only one in town) and our pediatricians have just
started ordering supplements-a lot.  Baby who loses 8-9% - comp after
nursing.  Babies who are 36-37 weeks and still learning to suck - comp
them.  Jaundiced babies... I think you can see a trend here.  They are
not very supportive of my services (neither is the staff at mey hospital
- but that's another whole issue).  I need to address this with them.  I
have been very non-threatening to them thus far.  I've been nice and
very subtle in my attempts to discuss other things with them. The old
"here's an article I thought you might like about treating both mom and
baby for thrush." and then I highlight the important stuff.  I left them
copies of the AAP guidelines this week.  I've had 3 moms in the past
week who have supplemented because the "doctor said I should" and 2 of
the 3 stopped nursing all together.  The other one is nursing a couple
of times a day.I just got a call to see a c-section mom day 3 who they
ordered supplements for.  Mom called me and wants to figure out how "not
to do this" She had a difficult time BF the first time and this time has
tried so hard.  I've seen mom twice during her hospitalization, but the
peds didn't even consult me before ordering supplements.
I guess my question is - how do I tactfully discuss this with the
pediatricians and try to earn some respect for my position at the same
time?  I know I'm not the first LC to have faced this problem and I know
I won't be the last. BTW, both of these pediatricians are female and
have young children who were breast fed. I am looking in the archives as
well but i could use any advise that you may have.
TIA
Stephanie RN IBCLC