Clients that seem not to try very hard are a big part of my LC frustration. The healthcare system being mother- and baby-unfriendly is another big frustration. I accept that alot of the mothers lack of success is due to the healthcare system and culture etc. But still I'm sure there are many of us who, on some really frustrating days, think "why is she wasting my time?" (After all, we're only human). Here's a very typical example: A mother states she wants to breastfeed. She is supported and encouraged by the LC. She has successful feeds. At night she has the nsy feed the baby formula. The next day the LC comes back and they start again, but the mother says "not right now I am going to take a shower (baby is actively rooting)" or "I'll try later." Sometimes she says this the very first day and doesn't do more than 1 or 2 feeds in a 24 hr day. I don't get it, but it could be modesty or any number of things. Most of us are too busy to really actively listen and figure it out. Maybe we never would figure it out. This same mother is going to call later with engorgement problems, breast refusal, and/or milk supply problems, you can bet. I usually chart that mother declined assistance and that mother has been asked to page me for next several feeds to assist her, if desired. I generally tell the mother to call me when she is ready for assistance. This should 'prove' to the supervisor that the LC was willing and able. I'll also chart that I gave her anticipatory guidance about milk supply, engorgement etc. I ask mothers about how long they think they might bf. Many say 6 mos or more, and I discuss with them that exclusive bf is the best way to get there and the high risk of early weaning with immediate start of partial bf. I have taken to asking some of these reluctant bf'ers to rate their desire to bf 1-10. The mother that I just described above rated it an 8 but never did really *do* it more than a couple times. This happens alot and since I will just about go to the ends of the earth to help a mom, it is a major frustration for me. Laurie Wheeler, IBCLC, MN, RN New Orleans Louisiana, s.e. USA - where there is one pediatrician who has ordered that no one (no LC nor nurse) is to instruct or assist "his" patients with bf. He orders Q4H feeds, water in between, 20 min. total, and cereal at 3 wks. I knew the day would come that he would do that. Yes, we are fighting this nonsense. Talk about frustration! _________________________________________________________________ MSN 8 with e-mail virus protection service: 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus *********************************************** 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