In reading through guidelines for lactnet, I was reminded that it's a good
idea for 1st post to be a personal intro.  I, however, jumped on and jumped
in...hard to resist! So, here I am... I am an IBCLC working pt for WIC as BF
Coordinator, and also pt for a group of physicians who are great BF
supporters.  There are 4 docs, 1 CNM, myself, and a LC intern.  Between us
we have * 34* breastfed children, from almost-born to age 21! (I love it!)
We are hospital based.  Also have sm. bf supply business on the side.
I have officially (read "w/pay") worked in the field for 8 yrs. My
education/training is in Social Work, which LC's seem to do every day.  I am
the mother of 8 children...5 here on earth, and 3 I'll hold again in Heaven.
The other day, as I put my 10 mo. old to breast for the upteenth time, I
figured out I've had about 99 months of personal bf experience so far...I
think that's a great boon to my capacity for empathy with the moms I work
with.  I  seem to have also had to hurdle just about every obstacle bf moms
frequently face, NICU, horrid yeast problems, medical complications, and
even at one time pumping for a son that we knew wasn't going to make it.
Breastmilk was the one thing I could do for him.  I also help my dh with our
55 acre farm and his construction business office work....and yes, I am
probably a poster child for sleep deprivation, as there are only 24 hours in
a day, and I need much more.  My dh lovingly tells me that I am "obsessed
with breastfeeding"..(.I should tell him about the "Z" word. )  I often get
very frustrated with the public health part of my work, as so often protocol
and policies seem to come before people.  (Recent upheaval at work has left
me a little jaded...sorry. Paperwork first, then people...sigh.)  Working
for docs is fun...not so many hoops to jump through.  But the moms and
babies I see in the public health portion need me, as they often can't
access LCs otherwise.  So I stay in both worlds.  Everyone tells me to start
a pvt. practice as well, and someday I will...when my precious babes at home
fly the nest.  I'm in no hurry for that.
Thanks, lactnet and lactnuts for being here.  You're my lifeline some days!

Jennifer Kneuss, IBCLC
Mother and Child Services
Where it's a winter white and sunny day in NE Ohio