I am not a HCP of any sort, but from a lay persons perspective, isn't
that nurse at risk of reprimand or worse for going against a Dr.'s
written order? I realize that because many people do not take
breastfeeding seriously and the giving of ABMs serious enough, that this
won't generate the same response as a violation of meds and/or treatment
would, but to me this is the bigger issue of principle and protocol. The
nurse was in violation, of what I would assume is (or should be) a
serious regulation. Just my thoughts on that issue.

I also thought that I would include a list of famous nursing Moms that I
give out to my LLL group once a year - I am adding all the names that I
get here on LactNet. Maybe if women know that even the 'beautiful'
people who many 'admire' breastfeed, it will help spread the word.
Princess Grace of Monaco, Susan St. James, Demi Moore, Linda Kelsey,
Cybil Shepard (twins), Patricia Richardson (twins), Tipper Gore, Jane
Seymore (twins), Katherine Ross, Cathy Rigby, Jayne Kennedy, Valerie
Bertinelli, Katie Couric, Joan Lunden, Pamela Anderson Lee (with
implants), Adriene Barbou (twins) and Ruth Pointer (twins), and oh yes,
Michael Jordon's Mom breastfed him and stated once, "I feel that is why
he is the athlete his is." My apologies to all the non-American
LactNetters out there who may not know who these women are. Does anyone
have women in other professions (politics, sports, writers, etc.) to add
to the list?

      I also would like to make a comment on the use of devices and
breastfeeding - I started having children before devices became popular
(heck disposable diapers had just hit the market!), so I had no choice
but to do what I could, with what I had - nature. I think that the use
of devices in some situations are necessary and wise. However, I think
that many women (and men) just can't imagine that the breasts can
actually produce enough milk to keep a baby alive, especially as the
baby grows. That falls into a broad cultural/social area, where the
breasts have been sexual objects for so long that many have forgotten
(or don't even know) what their real purpose is for. To rely on devices
for reasons of insecurity, ignorance and/or personal convience wanders
into a gray area that I am not personally comfortable with. My gut
reaction is to chastise the mom like a child, however, having had a
session on HRE (non-judgemental, non-advice giving language) I know that
is not the way to go. If after some serious questioning, the mom still
insists she 'needs' a device, I pass her onto an LC, who usually ends up
giving her the same advice I did, but since she is a 'professional' and
the session costs money, the mom usually takes her advice. In a way it
irks me, but I understand that it is because our society 'values' money
above most other things, and professionals above 'just a mother.' So I
go with whatever works and if it keeps the baby receiving breastmilk for
longer than the phone call to me, it is worth it.

Leslie Ward, LLL, AAPL
Vine Grove, KY (where it is hot, very hot)
"I do not do great things, I do small things with great love." Mother
Theresa