From the study:
"The lactation avatar was created with close attention to a real life
lactation consultant, including her body language and hand gestures. A 15
person pilot study was conducted with the lactation consultant avatar. The
study found that use of this avatar as a learning medium significantly
increased intent to breastfeed and knowledge surrounding breastfeeding. A larger
study is underway to determine if a lactation avatar can influence
breastfeeding duration."
~~~
Hello all,
It seems their bar is set pretty low in terms of what a lactation
consultant actually does. If all the LC does is increase intent to breastfeed and
provide general knowledge, it's just like a talking program with a character
(... like that little thing in Jurassic Park that gave the talk on
amber....). Their next goal is related to ongoing education and support -
increasing duration. Although those things are all important, they barely scratch
the surface of what an experienced, brainstorming LC does. I think one of
the most common phrases I hear when I am with a new family is: "why didn't
anyone else tell me that?"
and that covers a multitude of things like tongue tie ( esp. posterior),
effects of late pregnancy position/movement in utero, labor and delivery on
feeding, effects of coming even a few weeks early, or being born less than 5
lb, 8 oz, effects of being separated from baby, effects of being in
different positions, with different sensory cues,, reading a baby's cues for
hunger and satiation, what normal is.... then again if the avatar takes the 25
minute course, it will be totally ready to answer any and all questions
right? The avatar can now give lip service to support breastfeeding even
without any real lips!
Peace,
Judy
Judy LeVan Fram, PT, IBCLC, LLLL
Brooklyn, NY, USA
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