Well,
Our hospital has a long way to go - and we seem to be going backwards right now
due to a bad nursing (professional, not breastfeeding) shortage but:
        A mom was hospitalized with facial paralysis who was breastfeeding a 22
month old.  She called me to ask about medications she was taking and I was able
to reassure her with our own Dr. Tom's book in hand - then I asked if she had
been allowed to breastfeed.  She said no, and her daugher, who has never had a
bottle even though she worked as a teacher because her child care was near
enough the school she could go there during breaks, was having a very hard time.

        Well, the nurses on the floor were very negative about allowing the child
on the floor with all the other unknown diseases (the woman in the bed next to
hers was hospitalized with a "fever of unknown origin".  But - I spoke to a
series of supervisors and got their cooperation to open a small conference room
nearby to allow a visit and breastfeeding.  (It helped that I mentioned that
mastitis could be a consequence).

        Perhaps this incident will remind those on other floors to be aware of
the needs of women who breastfeed - not just on the Maternity floor.

Jeanette Panchula BW-SW, LLLL, RN, IBCLC
Puerto Rico
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