From another HBLC: Can we have an honest discussion on any favorite tips on how to keep focused, postive and avoid burnout. We live in an area where there are NO private practice LC's to speak of. There are only two rental stations, both hospital based and so for the community we feel like we are "it". We do have active LLL in the area, however which we do give info to each and every patient. We would ,ove to have someone to refer some of our mothers to for home visits, etc. Our hospital has not been interested in pursuing charging insurances for LC services for outpatients, but expects us to charge the patients directly. We are not happy about doing this, as we feel it should be a reimbursable service and so we are at an impasse. It seems like we see more and more patients with LATCH problems for various and sundry reasons mostly because if they've not breastfed well by 12 hours the babies are considered abnormal and while I am comfortable in giving babies a 24 hour grace period and offering small amounts of colostrum by eyedropper or syringe, I see staff using more and more supplements, shields and not respecting newborn sleep and activity patterns. This is a direct result of too much to do, to little time to do it. They just want these babies to eat - period. And I feel I have a 85% supportive staff. I addition to newborn hearing tests, NPO for circs, paternity issues,doctor visits, baby photography, teaching, visitors and shaken baby info, it's a wonder parents can take in much of anything about breastfeeding, and yet that is one of the most if not the most important issue. Now the AAP would like us to place near term babies in car seats for up to an hour prior to discharge, so we can make sure they do not have an airway obstruction by montoring oxygen saturations. This will be yet another thing that will keep babies from being allowed to be with their mothers, as this can only be monitored well in the nursery . Recently, I've returned from a few vactation days and it only took me one rainy, dreary day at work and having two no LATCH term babies with ambivalent mothers who have sapped my energy big time. I've been an LC for 13 years and started out loving what I do. Now, because we focus on seeing those that are in need and because there are so many mothers and babies who are "needy" what I miss most is seeing the joy of babies doing well at the breast on a daily basis. Sorry for the lengthy post - it is heartfelt. Patience sometimes is not seen by some as a virtue in a busy hospital setting and today my normally patient personality is wearing thin. Seriously, though lets have a frank sharing talk about what keeps us knowing our work is important, valued and respected and what things can keep us motivated by avoiding burnout. (Lactnet is one HUGE plus for me, I will admit!) Warmly, LuAnn Smith RN, BSN, IBCLC On a dreary, chilly rainy day in central PA _________________________________________________________________ Add photos to your messages with MSN 8. Get 2 months FREE*. http://join.msn.com/?page=features/featuredemail *********************************************** To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet All commands go to [log in to unmask] The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html