We've hit a subject(hearing tests) close to my heart so I thought I'd jump in
and introduce myself and comment. My name is Lori, mom to 6(breastfeeding
for a solid 11 years, now...) and LLLL and presently studying for IBCLC exam
"04. I spent 10 years, before children, working both in neuro and ob offices
as the 'office nurse/manager" and several years as unit secretary (my 2nd
job) on peds.
My mom was deaf so I spent a good deal of my life having hearing tests!
Personally, I find it is wonderful that there is a system in place to screen
babies for possible hearing problems. I believe the purpose of the test is to
catch those babies who otherwise one would not know until months, maybe years
later (like my mom who was dx'd at 4yrs) of a hearing deficiency. We are not
talking about children with repeated ear infections, of which I had, but have
no abnormal hearing problems, who end up with a minor loss-we are talking
about the children who have nerve damage causing hearing loss. Early
intervention enables these children to function better in our hearing world
by intervening with therapy, hearing aids, etc.
Because of my history, all my children where tested at one point or another,
usually at the ENTs office with more accurate equipment. My oldest is 11 and
I actually had the heath department hounding me because I refused to do a
BAER (brainstem auditory evoke response), which required sedation. So, at
least they where persistent and I felt doing their job of trying to keep
track of a "high risk" patient. And, as with any test/procedure, a parent has
a right to refuse.
As far as how it relates to breastfeeding and hospital procedure, I feel we
must continue to advocate to the parents that the baby is theirs and they
have a right to be where the baby is-just like nursing a baby anywhere.
Personally, I have seen a change in policy and procedure with each baby I
have had over the past 11 years. It's gone from absolutely no breastfeeding
help or information to beating the LC's off with a stick;-> ! Not all
parents realize that they can (ore even want to, for that matter) insist on
going with their baby or, have testing done in their rooms. I have had some
nursing staff get pretty nasty with me when I refuse to let them take my baby
to the nursery for..blood tests, physician exams, hearing tests, etc. And
isn't that what part of the problem is-parents not standing up for the rights
of their baby, probably because they do not realize they have that right?
Certainly, I am not talking about those babies who are ill but the "normal,
full term baby" who does not need to have breastfeeding interrupted at the
convenience of staff.
I feel that breastfeeding is on that same roller coaster that giving birth to
was many years ago. Until parents are willing to stop the ride and get off,
they will continue to be at the whim of others. I understand that it is very,
very difficult to change policy and it is NOT the fault of most
nurses-afterall, they are following the rules set forth by hospitals. And
this is why I advocate parents having a support person with them when they go
into a hospital. When my sister had her first baby two months ago, if I was
not there with her, she would have had the baby in the nursery the whole
time-mostly for the same reasons I feel most new moms do-"I'm tired, I don't
know what to do, I can't"-lack of confidence in one's ability to take care of
a baby.
Thanks for a wonderful, insightful forum to air thoughts and information!
~Lori, LLLl
In sunny South Florida
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