Return-path: [log in to unmask] From: [log in to unmask] Full-name: Margotmann Message-ID: <[log in to unmask]> Date: Sun, 12 Sep 1999 22:20:03 EDT Subject: Re: Your practice! To: [log in to unmask] MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Mailer: AOL 4.0.i for Mac sub 189 Barbara, I am not on Lactnet but you are free to share this with the group if you think it is of interest. It was always my dream to set up a Lactation Center where the mother could come for an extended time and spend most of the day there. This is for the mother who is particularly anxious, nearing 'burn out" or who has a baby with a difficult problem. My dream has come true. At the Riverdale Lactation Center (NY), they can come for a consult. Having support and help they already feel better. And the baby is fed and quiet. The effort in getting to the lactation center, the anxiety and the deep concentration of the consult wears the mother out. If she goes home now she faces a host of demands and usually finds that she can't replicate the results she experienced in the lactation center. This sets her up to feel like a failure. So, instead of going home she goes into my "R & R Room" (Rest & Recreation) and goes to sleep. They all sleep deeply, even those who say they are too anxious to sleep anywhere but at home. When they wake up they are a given a light, nutritious lunch and helped with the next feeding, thereby reinforcing the new skills introduced in the initial consult. They go home feeling encouraged and competent to use the techniques taught to compensate for the baby's lack of skill in breastfeeding. They are also usually OK on their own for a few days and don't need such early follow up. I find the extra support and nurturing I can give in this scenario is very rewarding and they appreciate it. Margot C Mann IBCLC [log in to unmask] Please visit my website: http://hometown.aol.com/margotmann/myhomepage/index.html (718) 6012939