Dear Lactnet Friends:

The discussion about IBCLCs and birth and hospital practices around the
world has been collegiate, professional and fabulous. Thank you to Judy
Gutkowski and Rachel Myr and others who have added their viewpoints.

Truly, birth in the US is technologically driven. In 2007, the CDC found
that the best score on its birth and hospital practices survey (mPINC) was
82 out of 100. This would be a B on a report card.  My state has an average
score of 61% out of 100%; my city, 53% out of 100. As a nation, our mothers
and babies are having the crap beaten out of them. It is amazing that there
is breastfeeding at all.

At an urban hospital I know of, the cesarean section rate is nearly 50%;
nurses at that facility say "we have so many high-risk mothers." I don't
know if this is really true or if it is a reaction formation by women
watching their sisters be treated like raw materials on a factory line. If
it is true, and  nearly half of all women are medically high-risk, I am
worried.

I feel strongly that WHO has it right, and that all healthcare staff need to
be knowledgeable about breastfeeding. This means 20-hours of fundamental
education.

One inner-city hospital (with a population of predominantly lower
socio-economic status women)  has more labor and delivery staff putting
babies skin to skin after birth because more and more staff have received
basic education about best practice.  Physicians tell me, when I make
nursery rounds,  that that more and more women are breastfeeding as a
result. This is despite the routine use of technology and is very
encouraging and exciting.

At the same time, it makes sense to have more breastfeeding specialists
available at hospitals where more technology is used; the IBCLC is that
designated specialist.

warmly,

Nikki Lee RN, BSN, Mother of 2, MS, IBCLC, CCE, CIMI, ANLC, CKC
craniosacral therapy practitioner
www.breastfeedingalwaysbest.com

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

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome