Today I had a real stressor - a mom that I had been talking to on the phone
(breastfeeding was going well, I'm helping to implement "Lact Track" which
calls moms at 2, 5, 7, 14, days and 1 and 2 months for anticipatory
guidance and to try to cover myths and prevent them from becoming
barriers), called me with a concern:  Her baby's ubilical cord clamp had
been left on and it was catching on clothing (8 days old), and there was
some bleeding.  
1. It should have been removed upon discharge but it wasn't
2. She had been to the Peds office, but they said they didn't do that
3. When I asked for assistance, I was told it was not in the PHNs or the
LCs "scope of work"

EXCUSE ME???

I got the permission of a supervisor - got the cord clamp cutter and
removed it!  (Yes, I checked to make sure there was no sign of infection,
etc.)

My point - more time, effort and hard feelings were spent saying why "it's
not my job" (over 2 hours) than it took me to get the cutter, go to the
home, remove it and return (25 min).

Please let's work TOGETHER and respect each other, allow for differences
and skills, and help each other grow - that's how I've seen Lactnet work
for me all this time - and I've learned so much from others who are MDs,
NICU nurses, BSN, MSN, Childbirth Ed, PhDs,  RDs, Peer Counselors,
specialists in natural remedies, etc, etc. etc.

And most of all - I've learned from moms - those you write about as well as
those I meet.  These moms really don't care what initials we have behind
our name - they just want to know we are willing and able to help them -
whether with a cord clamp or with a painful latch. 

Jeanette Panchula, BSW , LLLL,  IBCLC, RN
Vacaville, CA

             ***********************************************
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