Dear Colleagues,

I wanted to share what I sent to the TV station regarding the protest at
Harrisburg Hospital.

  _____  

From: Lee Galasso [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
<mailto:%5bmailto:[log in to unmask]> 

Sent: Monday, August 15, 2005 12:28 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Hospital protest

 

Re:  Your coverage (on 8/5/05) of the breastfeeding advocates at the
hospital in Harrisburg, PA.

As I understand it, 2 men and 2 women were arrested after the hospital
called the police; the hospital did not try to find out what the customers
were upset about.

 

The hospital claims there is no policy of separating the babies from their
mothers for hours.  However, the experience of mothers and RNs who work at
that hospital is different:  It is an unwritten policy to separate them for
about 4 hours after the birth.  That separation is harmful to the baby, the
mother, their relationship, and to breastfeeding.  No other species in the
animal kingdom, which homo sapiens are part of, would do well with such
separation.  Ask people who work with animals and they will tell you that
separation would endanger the well-being of the newborns and the mothers.
The ASPCA would bring charges against those who take kittens, puppies, etc
away before 8 weeks (that would be multiplied by 7, or 56 weeks, in a
human).  In NY State, the DOH advocates 24-hour rooming-in while in the
hospital.ABSOLUTELY NO SEPARATION unless there is a medical emergency.

As for the diaper bags for breastfeeding moms:  That hospital just doesn't
get it; most hospitals don't.  The formula companies are using the hospital
staff to advertise for them.That is the purpose of the formula samples in
the bags, which that hospital acknowledges are in the company advertising
bags.  Those samples undermine breastfeeding and the companies know it; they
are banking on that.literally, all the way to the banks.otherwise, why would
they spend so much money on providing them to the hospitals, i.e., the
mothers.  The ALMIGHTY BUCK is more important than the life and health of
the babies.  We shouldn't be surprised; after all, the formula companies are
basically pharmaceutical companies.but the FDA does not regulate the
formulas as drugs and does not get involved in the hazards associated with
formula feeding.

The comment:  "We have lactation consultants on standby," is very telling.
Why are they on standby?  They should be helping with breastfeeding within
30 minutes of the birth and frequently thereafter.  All mothers need help;
it does not matter if they have several children or not; and it is very
important immediately after the birth, even if it is a surgical birth.

Thank you for allowing me to comment on this news topic.

Respectfully submitted,

Lee Galasso, MS, IBCLC, RLC

Lactation Specialist

Westchester County in NY State

[log in to unmask]

 

 

 

 

 


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