Wendy
It must be difficult to be an independent LC. I know how the bigger
facilities co-opt the services of LCs and CBE and I was a recipient of that
treatment , but life got better when I just joined the big facility.
However, I continue to advise the families in childbirth and breastfeeding
classes that I see and families that I discharge from the hospital .  When
interviewing or making the appointments with the Ped.
"Who in this practice is qualified to handle the breastfeeding concerns?"
(This query cannot be answered with yes or no.) I do not even say LC there
may be plenty of qualified people who are not LCs
If there is a person qualified ~ "Does this person see family by Appt and
have the use of a scale.?  " If this is not the case or there is not a
person "To whom do you refer these concerns?" ( Pen and eyebrows raised
ready for positive response)(this is how my generation got CNMs in this
community , now this generation needs to get LCs in Ped offices and clinics
~~ it needs to be an expectation of the families.  )
Your local or regional organization can publish a directory of all qualified
LCs in private practice and In WIC clinics and get it in the hands of the
peds.  Some will be happy to have someone who will see their families.
Next is to get space in the Ped offices and be there certain days just like
a hygienist is to the dentist.  Someone in the office makes the appointments
and does the billing.  One LC could  work with  two practices that way.
Once the Ped has this to offer and the benefits are seen they are very
reluctant to let this service go. I can't imagine that any professional
would send mother (when there is an alternative) to a place where a
demonstration of such equipment is not offered , or the other information
like cleaning equipment , storing milk or discussing other resources in the
community that might benefit the family at this time .
Beadie Cambardella RN LCCE , IBCLC
Atlanta, GA
-----Original Message-----
From: Wendy Thomson, Rn,Bsn,Ibclc <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Monday, August 12, 2002 9:53 AM
Subject: buying from anywhere!!!


>Just wanted to ad a comment regarding the ordering/buying of products
through
>companies.
>
>Many of us trying to make a living being lactation consultants outside the
>security of the establishments that provide a salary whether sick or not,
>whether there are patients or not.  We work hard to promote breastfeeding
in
>our communities, organizations, and assist with research.  We spend on
>marketing, donations, give-a-ways so families will remember our names and
>come to us for help. We have to compete against hospitals that have MUCH
>BIGGER budgets than us. Remember that when suggesting to moms (or for us in
>that matter) to go and buy "stuff" from their local stores or e-commerce
>sites that have money that we can't begin to find, just dimishes the small
>funding we look for to keep us working hard for the babies and families we
>try to protect.  I supplement my income by being adjunct faculty at the
local
>college.  Many of us would love to be full time LCs but just can't generate
>the revenues to pay the mortgage, electric, food, and gas bills unless we
do
>other things.
>
>It really came to me when I rec'd an email from one such advocate,
wonderful
>professional, that even though we may save a few bucks, we take away from
the
>pocket books of those that make a difference in our profession. (And I am
>sorry for that)  Each and everyone of us make a difference, so when we look
>to buy product, look to each of us, support us in our efforts to make a
>living.  Avoid, baby's R us, american baby, and any other place that takes
>revenues from "us".  Have moms look to our websites, store fronts, or
>whatever sources are available to promote our lactation colleagues .
>Remember that we can't continue to offer services if we don't make a living
>at it.
>
>When I need something that I won't or can't carry, I will refer or order
from
>my colleaque that does carry "it."  I learned my lessson that taking even a
>dollar away from "us" can make or break the continuation of our practices.
>It makes us work more "somewhere else" just to get the bills paid, which
>means less time for our moms and babies.  We need to support each other in
>order which also sets a standard.  We always tell moms something lik,
"don't
>go to the pharmacy to get a pump, it may not be the right pump for the
right
>reason, go to a lactation consultant".  So why aren't we supporting each
>other with product as well as pumps?
>
>Just my food for thought and thanks for listening,
>
>Wendy Thomson, RN,BSN,IBCLC
><A HREF="http://www.naturalbeginningsinc.com/">NaturalBeginningsInc.com
Breastfeeding Supplies, consultation and information</A>
>
>
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