Jen: I would talk to the LC since you know her; she may approach the
manager for a meeting between LCs and CBEs so that any breastfeeding info in
CB class is consistent and accurate; that way, she is not being singled out.
Carolyn Schindewolf, LCCE, IBCLC
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jen Delaney" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 02, 2007 1:45 PM
Subject: Question about accurate information in Childbirth Classes
> Hi, I have a question about the appropriate response to a childbirth
> educator who is giving inaccurate information about baby's feeding
> frequencies. I am attending classes with a client as her Doula, as her SO
> has exited the picture and she needs additional support. There have been
> several issues during the 4 weeks that I have made notes on and plan on
> giving a kind but honest critique in the hopes that she may seek out
> additional newer, more accurate information for her classes. I will be
> training as a CBE myself, so this is near and dear to my heart. She stated
> in class "Babies eat about 6-8 times a day". She was referring to newborns
> and the neonatal period. I spoke up and asked, "Isn't that number a
> little low? I understood breastfed babies eat about 8-12 times a day?"
>
> Unfortunately, she kind of just shrugged me off, as if to say, no, you're
> wrong, it's 6-8 times. This was really odd to me, unless she is a diehard
> formula promoter. I have BF 4 children myself, one is 27 months and still
> nursing, and I've been a BF peer counselor and a doula for almost 5 years.
> I am not an expert, yet, by any means, but I am a serious student of
> lactation and it seemed that she was quoting what a FORMULA fed baby would
> do. Isn't it the ethical responsibility of a person teaching a childbirth
> class to either A. Always define the method of feeding in regards to
> frequency or B. Always use the biological norm when referring to newborn
> behaviour, and then defining the sub-norm, i.e. ABM feeding?
>
> My big concern is that the other parents in the class are walking away
> from the class thinking nursing will be 6-8 times a day from the start.
> This IME, is setting them up for failure, when their precious bundle wants
> to eat TWICE as often, they will assume they're "not making enough milk"
> "the baby is always hungry" "I'm failing" and they will , once again, turn
> to formula. I have seen this already, over and over in my community and
> to have a CBE stating without definition, babies eat 6-8 times a day, and
> then when questioned, to not grasp the opportunity to define, BF babies
> eat 8-12, formula-fed MAY eat as little as 6-8 times a day, is very
> frustrating.
>
> What is the best way to approach this issue?
> It may seem like nitpicking, but I see it as the beginning of a long list
> of small failures (such as hospital practices just after birth, baby
> seperation,etc) that are slowly eroding the mother's foundation of
> knowledge and support before the baby is even born!
> I don't want to go directly to managerial or administrative staff,
> because that won't stop someone from giving out incorrect information if
> they believe they're right. The odd thing is, I know the LC on staff at
> this hospital, I've collaborated with her for pts. and I've sat in on her
> Breasfeeding classes and she's VERY clear about the frequency of feeding
> and cluster feeding and sleep patterns, getting enough sleep at night,
> etc. The disparity is alarming, as then parents attending BOTH classes
> will be getting conflicting information.
> Help!
> thanks in advance,
> Jennifer Delaney
>
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