Hi, All:  I oriented a nurse new to our unit yesterday - I had also seen her here 
in the hospital 10 months ago with her 4th baby.  She said several times 
throughout the day that she just didn't understand why mothers would choose 
not to breastfeed.  She also said she felt sorry for the babies of mothers 
choosing not to breastfeed, that they would be deprived ot mother's milk.  We 
discussed how to word our language so as not to "make the mom feel guilty!" 
and how to support a mother's feeding decision when it runs contrary to our 
own.  I walked her through counseling a mother who has just told me that she 
will be bottlefeeding (for whatever reason).  If she is a multip, I ask her if she 
tried nursing her other children.  If so, what was her reason for quitting?  If 
not, did she educate herself on breastfeeding?  If she is a primip, did she take 
a class or do some reading?  I then instruct her on breast care (drying up her 
milk).  I also let her know that should her thinking change in a week or two or 
three, that it is still possible to resume breastfeeding.  Most moms are 
surprised by this and seem less anxious, knowing that their decision at this 
point in time is not "all or nothing".  Lastly, I encourage her to call if she has 
any questions/concerns.  Believe it or not, I occasionally have a former 
bottlefeeding mom call to tell me of her successful breastfeeding efforts.
When I used to work L&D admissions, I would ask:  " And you will be 
breastfeeding?"  Put this way, you let the mom know that we assume she is 
breastfeeding unless she tells us otherwise.  This also further emphasizes the 
normalcy of breastfeeding.
Regarding NPO status in the nursery, infant feeding choice is marked 
immediately on the baby's crib card which is hung on the warmer, isolette, or 
crib during the baby's SCN stay.  This way all staff know what will be 
happening and can support the mother's pumping/breastfeeding efforts 
throughout the baby's stay.
ALL our mothers receive written breastfeeding information in the folder they all 
receive with general hospital/unit/baby picture information upon admission to 
the post-partum unit.  This assumption that they are all nursing helps 
emphasize the normalcy of breastfeeding to the mothers, their family members, 
and the hospital staff.


Pam Hirsch, BSN,RN,IBCLC
Clinical Lead, Lactation Services
Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital
Barrington, IL    USA

Who is beside herself that, now that after 2 months, there are no longer men 
with tools in her house!

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