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Subject:
From:
Carolyn Schindewolf <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Tue, 2 Oct 2007 20:19:02 -0400
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Jen:  I would talk to the LC since you know her; she may approach the 
manager for a meeting between LCs and CBEs so that any breastfeeding info in 
CB class is consistent and accurate; that way, she is not being singled out. 
Carolyn Schindewolf, LCCE, IBCLC
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jen Delaney" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 02, 2007 1:45 PM
Subject: Question about accurate information in Childbirth Classes


>  Hi, I have a question about the appropriate response to a childbirth 
> educator who is giving inaccurate information about baby's feeding 
> frequencies.  I am attending classes with a client as her Doula, as her SO 
> has exited the picture and she needs additional support.  There have been 
> several issues during the 4 weeks that I have made notes on and plan on 
> giving a kind but honest critique in the hopes that she may seek out 
> additional newer, more accurate information for her classes. I will be 
> training as a CBE myself, so this is near and dear to my heart. She stated 
> in class "Babies eat about 6-8 times a day". She was referring to newborns 
> and the neonatal period.  I spoke up and asked, "Isn't that number a 
> little low? I understood breastfed babies eat about 8-12 times a day?"
>
>  Unfortunately, she kind of just shrugged me off, as if to say, no, you're 
> wrong, it's 6-8 times.  This was really odd to me, unless she is a diehard 
> formula promoter. I have BF 4 children myself, one is 27 months and still 
> nursing, and I've been a BF peer counselor and a doula for almost 5 years. 
> I am not an expert, yet, by any means, but I am a serious student of 
> lactation and it seemed that she was quoting what a FORMULA fed baby would 
> do.  Isn't it the ethical responsibility of a person teaching a childbirth 
> class to either A. Always define the method of feeding in regards to 
> frequency   or B. Always use the biological norm when referring to newborn 
> behaviour, and then defining the sub-norm, i.e. ABM feeding?
>
>  My big concern is that the other parents in the class are walking away 
> from the class thinking nursing will be 6-8 times a day from the start. 
> This IME, is setting them up for failure, when their precious bundle wants 
> to eat TWICE as often, they will assume they're "not making enough milk" 
> "the baby is always hungry" "I'm failing" and they will , once again, turn 
> to formula.  I have seen this already, over and over in my community and 
> to have a CBE stating without definition, babies eat 6-8 times a day, and 
> then when questioned, to not grasp the opportunity to define, BF babies 
> eat 8-12, formula-fed MAY eat as little as 6-8 times a day, is very 
> frustrating.
>
>  What is the best way to approach this issue?
>  It may seem like nitpicking, but I see it as the beginning of a long list 
> of small failures (such as hospital practices just after birth, baby 
> seperation,etc) that are slowly eroding the mother's foundation of 
> knowledge and support before the baby is even born!
>  I don't want to go directly to managerial or administrative staff, 
> because that won't stop someone from giving out incorrect information if 
> they believe they're right. The odd thing is, I know the LC on staff at 
> this hospital, I've collaborated with her for pts. and I've sat in on her 
> Breasfeeding classes and she's VERY clear about the frequency of feeding 
> and cluster feeding and sleep patterns, getting enough sleep at night, 
> etc.  The disparity is alarming, as then parents attending BOTH classes 
> will be getting conflicting information.
>  Help!
>  thanks in advance,
>   Jennifer Delaney
>
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