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Date: | Tue, 6 Jul 2010 22:56:30 -0400 |
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Julia asks,
"wanted to know what you all think about Lactation Consultants who have
never breastfed before? Do you think a LC who has never personally breastfed
can be as effective a LC as one who has?
Also, I do not think there are any in existence (other than the one on
"The Office"), but what would you all think about male LCs?"
I know that LC's that have not breastfed can be every bit as effective. I
breastfed but never had mastitis, plugged ducts, over supply, yeast, non
latching infant, a child with special needs, etc. That doesn't mean I can't
help mothers with these issues. If we want HCP's to have the knowledge and
expertise to help breastfeeding mothers then we have to believe that they
can be effective promoters, supporters and teachers of breastfeeding whether
or not they've breastfed themselves. I think we sometimes invest
breastfeeding with magical properties that are impossible to learn unless you've
experienced it first hand. Many nurses I've worked with think of
breastfeeding just this way and although they can titrate cardiac drugs and run a
ventilator they believe something about helping a mother breastfeed is beyond
their capacity to master. And a couple of the best breastfeeding helpers
I've worked with never breastfed. One nurse I'm currently working with did
not breastfeed her babies but does a wonderful job supporting breastfeeding
mothers . She will be sitting the exam this summer. And what a wonderful
gift this is for her to be able to put aside any guilt or disappointment she
might have for not breastfeeding and learn everything she can so she can
help other mothers. Much of what I know about breastfeeding I've learned
from studying, attending conferences and most importantly from the mothers
I work with.
And isn't Dr. Jack Newman a board certified lactation consultant?
Kathy Boggs, RN, BSN, IBCLC
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