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Subject:
From:
Karen Meleng <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Thu, 11 Sep 2008 18:01:58 +0800
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> ------------------------------
>
> Date:    Wed, 10 Sep 2008 16:21:54 -0800
> From:    Julie Johnson <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Private practice LC's and difficult clients
>
> With my afternoon client...something went terribly wrong. First 5 minutes,
> =
> she refused skin to skin for her and baby because she thought this would =
> upset the baby. She consistently resisted everything I suggested. I mean =
> everything. Even down to the payment.  The entire 2 hours I had a smile on
> =
> my face and was very professional trying every trick in the bag to give =
> her what she paid for. It makes me wonder whether I should have left =
> significantly early on in the consult when the first criticism started =
> without trying further. My question is: what is the professional standard =
> with people like this? Leave early and cut my losses or try to work it out
> =
> despite the passive aggressive behaviors?  Seriously, I have only worked =
> and served the most wonderful, hard working, loving, appreciative clients =
> in the world. =20
>
> Anybody have any similar situations or experiences please PM.=20
>
> Thanks,=20
> Julie Johnson; IBCLC
>
>             ***********************************************
>
> Hi Julie
It can be very distressing and confusing when this happens...........I had a
client like this. She and her husband were very tense and could not contain
their hostility. Mum was in great pain from mastitis and cracked nipples ;
and they were both exhausted and distraught. Baby was being finger fed.They
both were incredulous that breastfeeding could be like this. The last thing
mum wanted to do was put anything at all near her breast...........and the
other last thing she wanted to do was formula feed. I addressed all the
issues as best I could , despite their constant looks of disbeleif at
everything I said. I was worried enough about them to call them about an
hour after the consult to see if they had been able to begin any of the
things that would help . I also thought that I had perhaps not acknowledged
the mother's distress sufficiently and instead ploughing on with all the
management/practical aspects. The man answered the phone and reassured me
that they had begun following my suggestions , and that mum had had a shower
and was resting.......he then apologised profusely for "our behaviour and
rudeness" , thanked me for my calm persistence(was inwardly panicking) and
asked me to please return the next day. On that occasion he met me at the
door with a polite and friendly greeting and quickly ushered me to where a
much happier looking mum was calmly breastfeeding their baby. I exclaimed
WOW , you did it!! , they thanked me again with more apologies  , with me
insisting that they were tired and upset..............then I was paid a full
consult fee(that's a second one ) for my 5 minutes of congratulating them!
I learnt much from this case............not the least being to find more
ways to acknowledge the overwhelming pain and emotional torment that some
experience and that the LC can be the target for all the
anger/disappointment/confusion/distrust/shame they now associate with the
very thought of breastfeeding.

I hope you and your client can make some headway through all of this.

Sincerely
Karen Meleng
Bunbury
Western AUSTRALIA

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