Greetings..... Marsha asked to hear from those of us who run a Mother-Baby
Store in the hospital setting.  We opened our little store in July, 2001.
The space we occupy was an office near the elevators on the Mother-Baby
Unit.  We worked with Medela and accepted their expertise and input in
getting things set up for the store.  In return, we only sell Medela
pumps.  Since these are the only pumps sold or rented in our town, I had no
problem with this set-up.  We sell several kinds of nursing bras (not just
Medela), pumps, nursing pads, soothies, preemie diapers, preemie
clothes,slings.  We have had no pressure in any way from Medela... just
needed to agree to sell only Medela pumps.

We also rent pumps to Moms who come in from the outside or to Moms who need
them as they're going home from the hospital.  I don't find this set-up
problematic because I am open and honest with Moms on whether I believe
they need a pump or not.  I am not a "gadget guru", so I hesitate to
recommend anything that isn't absolutely necessary.  But, if a Mother could
really benefit from the use of Soothies, I'll mention them as an option.
I've not run into a situation where I felt I was faced with a conflict of
interest.  The store offers a nice service selling hard to find items for
the new Mom and her baby.  We're also hoping to expand into a Woman's shop
selling items for women through the lifespan.

Susan Reulbach Wirtjes RN IBCLC in Waterloo, Iowa
"What you permit, you promote."

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