Regarding the cost of education for Baby Friendly:  Our hospital used the JB Learning "Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding" online course.   The cost was $99 per RN.  We did not need to pay for 18 hours, as the course really didn't take that long.  We paid each RN for 8 hours to take the course.  The nurse can sign in and out as she needs to, doing 15 min if that's all the time she has.  We gave the staff 6 mos to complete the course, but most did it within a few weeks of receiving their passcode.  We also divided the staff in thirds to take the course over a 3 year period.  So Nancy, if my calculations are correct, it would cost about $64K per year x 3 years for your staff to get paid for this education.  It's still a lot, I know, but less than one full time RN salary per year.  Maybe breaking it down over a few years will make it more acceptable to administration?  

Mary Foley  RN, BSN, IBCLC
Melrose-Wakefield Hospital, Massachusetts
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