Hi!

I am new to Lactnet.  I have gained considerable knowledge so far.  I am also
a new CLE.  I have just started doing lactation rounds in my hospital.  I also
teach childbirth classes and staff nurse on PP/NSY unit.

This is my frustration.  I am 49 years old.  I bottle fed 2 children d/t lack
of encouragment.  I bf the last two of my children.  They were good right from
the start.  So many of the mom's and babies I work with have a hard time
getting it together mostly because the baby is sleepy and disinterested.  Even
using techniques such as the doll eye manuever fails to wake them.  I have
been collecting articles on bf and epidurals because I feel this is part of
the problem.

I have a strong desire to get the bf rates up through 6 months at least in our
community.  So many of these Mom's are discouraged within the first 24 hours
d/t sleepy babes and quit in those first critical weeks.  Can you seasoned
LC's HELP?????   We need to see success to keep out LN program going.

Shirley A. Hayman RN BSN
West Point IN