HI All,
Jeanette asked:
> if there is a need for breastfeeding specialists once the community IS
breastfeeding friendly.
Yes. There will always be someone who has a problem or challenge with BF
that the local knowledge may not be able to deal with, and if there are no
specialists to help, then BF might fail.
>Is breastfeeding so difficult?
Not always. But when it is, it is nice to have someone who can help fix it.
>Is it (or should it be) a medical question?
Depends on the situation. IF you have a premie, then it is a medical
situation that needs breastmilk, and there must be someone who can give the
mom all the appropriate advice to keep her pumping and keep her milk supply
up and then get the baby BF. Not everyone can know how to get a premie BF,
because no one can specialize in all areas of premie "stuff". Not every
NICU nurse is going to be an expert at BF information, and nor should she be
expected to. There should be someone who really specializes in BF.
>Do you have to be an expert in [breastfeeding]...?
You don't have to be an "Expert", but it sure helps!
>Does this not continue to feed the old model where the mother (and the
whole family) does not know?
Yes and no. How many generations have we gone now with BF going from being
the norm to being the unusual? Nowadays, the mother and family do not know,
and they commonly do not know anyone who does. That is where the BF
specialist comes in. WHen we have gotten to the point where the only time a
baby is ABM fed is when there is no breastmilk available at all, and all
babies are BF as a matter of course, then we may very well get back to the
point that everyone knows how babies BF, what proper positioning ought to
be, etc. Folks will have our knowledge and won't need us. A mom with sore
nipples will have grandma come over to see what is wrong, and grandma will
know at a glance how to fix it. But this is a scenario that, I feel, will
take several generations to get back to. The ABM compainies are too big and
wield too much $$$ power right now, and as it has taken years to go after
the tobacco companies, so will it take years to do the same with ABM companies.
>[He] confesses that the idea of specialists frightens him especially with
>such a natural subject as breastfeeding which we often say "should be
>demedicalized".
I don't understand why this frightens him. HE ought to be glad that there
are specialists. THis way he can "specialize" in his area of expertise and
know who to refer to for BF problems that are out of his level of knowledge.
We (in the healthcare profession) all need to know where our boundaries lie
and need to know who to refer to when a case comes our way that is beyond
our scope of knowledge. Drs cannot specialize in everything, and they can't
be expected to. THere are too many nuances involved in BF for one person to
know everything there is to know. Even the best LCs ask questions about
cases they are dealing with. That is what Lactnet is all about! Without
Lactnet, think of how many of us would be fumbling around trying to figure
out a case, hopng that we are doing it right. With this resource, we are
able to get some feedback and learn something in the process. There is no
reason to think that having a BF specialist will "medicalize" the process
(unless the specialist insists on dressing up in whites and wears latex
gloves all the time, trying to look like a medical person).
Well, those are my thoughts on this one!
Jay
Tired and dealing with strep this weekend. Oh joy...
Jay Simpson, CLE
Sacramento, CA
"No Miracles performed here, just a lot of love and hard work."
LACTNET Quilt Raffle Check out the web page then e-mail me at
[log in to unmask] for where to send for your tickets!
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