In a message dated 12/23/98 11:40:27 PM Eastern Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

<<
 We have a position for an LC.  In the hospital (El Camino Hospital in El
 Camino, CA)  it needs to be a RN, either an

         Lactation Counselor, (CLE or CLC)  or
         Lactation Consultant, (IBCLC)
 Hospital difinations.
  >>

We have Lactation Counselors in our biggest area hospital (6000  births per
year).  The administration felt this was more cost effective than hiring more
IBCLC.  This has not proven a good thing.  It has done a great disservice to
not only the patients, but also to the profession of IBCLC.  The moms don't
know the difference and think the Lactation Counselor is the IBCLC.
Information is given out too generally without respect to individual situation
and too often incorrect info, it's given out too quickly (because the
counselor is also doing her nurse duties), and the mom thinks this is all the
help that an LC can give (WRONG). A one week course cannot prepare someone to
be able to help breastfeeding moms and babies the way they really need to be
helped.  They would do a greater service to know how to identify a mom who
needs help and refer her to an IBCLC, but then the hospitals would have to
hire more IBCLC.

Sorry, this is a real pet-peeve with me as I see moms and babies day 3-5 in
Ped office and those who have delivered from this hospital with Lactation
Counselors tell me that every nurse who came in her room gave her different
advice and never spent more than 5 minutes with her.  I've been doing
breastfeeding counseling over 20 years and even I can't do an assessment, much
less teach and help improve the situation in 5 minutes.

I'm not against these one week courses.  Heaven only knows (and all of us)
that we need MORE, MORE, MORE breastfeeding education.  I'm against giving
these attendees a title and the false impression that they are just as
knowledgeable and equipped to help with breastfeeding problems as the IBCLC.
I do believe that EVERY health care professionals (nurses, docs, etc.) that
work with moms and babies need correct basic breastfeeding knowledge, they
also need to know their limitations and be able to refer to someone with more
experience when the situation deems necessary.

I think the problem I see with the hospital Lactation Counselor who has taken
the one week course is she is not motivated by a desire to help with
breastfeeding as say volunteers like La Leche Leaders or Peer Counselors. The
individual who is taking the training because their job has required it, may
not be as interested in breastfeeding and like some other health care
professionals they mix their own opinions (or all those myths we have heard
for so many years) in with what they are learning and the results can do more
harm than good.

My partial solution to this on going problem in our hospital is to have the
peds write orders on the chart for mom's with difficulties to have an in-
hospital IBCLC consult and to order a pump or teach alternative feeds till the
patient can get out of the hospital and over to me.  If it's ordered on the
chart, this will hold the hospital accountable for the care that is really
needed.

I'm sorry to be so negative, but misinformation or inadquate help does as much
or more harm than the formula companies to breastfeeding. Just my humble
opinion. Off my soap box.

To all the breastfeeding angels (you all know who you are) HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND
MAY GOD BLESS YOU IN THE NEW YEAR.

Warmly,
Pat Lindsey, IBCLC
Pediatrics Plus Staff LC and Private Practice
Orlando, FL