I realize that the studies show that the breastfeeding decision is usually
done prior to delivery - in fact, that was my usual excuse for not spending
a lot of time with mothers who told me on the floor after delivery that
they did not plan to breastfeed. We have over 350 deliveries a month, I
was the only LC, and was in charge of support group, prenatal education,
seeing moms who were having problems after delivery, helping moms with NICU
babies and postpartum support groups - and I was asked to keep my hours to
10 a week!
Well, now we have one full-time breastfeeding coordinator and two educators
- not yet LCīs or even close to being LCīs, but they have the job of
educating moms and helping them on the floor. As part of their
instructions from their supervisor they were told: Educate Everywone About
Breastfeeding and get them to sign the form which is your proof you have
done so...
The educators now report to me that they just tell every mom - you can
decide to breastfeed or not, but my job is to make sure you are educated
about breastfeeding. They have found moms are willing to listen and are
willing to try. I canīt give you statistics of how many continued
breastfeeding once discharged, but at least they were educated and tried.
Probably if they had a difficult baby or painful latch they easily changed
their minds, but one, the previous supervisor of Maternity on our floor,
stated she only started breastfeeding because of the engorgement - then
decided to keep it up, and she did for over 3 months...
So even though studies and statistics say one thing, we should not give
up...
Iīve been computer-less for a long time - and even now am having troubles
which Dell promises to fix... So please e-mail me directly to make sure I
receive any message...
Jeanette Panchula, BSW, RN, IBCLC
Puerto Rico
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