In my private practice I once offered a mom the opportunity to call me "anytime", even during the night.  I was worried about her (don't remember details anymore of why) and was completely sincere.  I told this to another consultant who was really surprised.  I have not had occasion to offer since, or maybe I became leery, but I do tend to agree with the comments that being available 24/7 is important.  I used to work at a hospital where we told new moms to call us or if we were not in, to call the maternity unit, and that was also on our answering machine.  In my current hospital, the mention of this freaked out the staff.  I used to teach the discharge class at the first hospital, and always encouraged moms to call in the middle of the night to the hospital--I said, "who else is awake at 3 a.m. when you and the baby are both crying?"  It is an incredibly lonely time.  And they only need that kind of help early on in general.  Thanks for the topic.

Patricia Ellis
Central New Jersey

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