early weaning

[Guest guest]

I have recently had a mom who contacted me by email, I sent her

information about my services. She then replied a few days later

when I emailed to check on her that things were going better and she

didn't need the help after all. About 4 or 5 days later, she called

me to tell me that she had a change of heart, and she wanted me to

come for a visit. Because she called on Good Friday, I told her

that my first availability was on Monday afternoon (after Easter),

she said that she understood. I got a voice message from her on

Monday morning, that she and her husband had talked it over and they

had decided to " try to formula feed " . I was so sad, I didn't know

how to respond. Later, I ended up calling her before I gave away

her time slot. After listening to her, I gently told her that if

she was making this decision when she was exhausted, that it would

be best to keep an open mind, and that it would be better for her

body if she gradually weaned rather than doing it abruptly. Then I

told her that I would send info to her on weaning. I sent Diane

Wiessinger's link with the " Ready to wean " info, and another on from

Becky Flora on gradual weaning.

How do you handle this type of situation?? Even though I never met

this mom, I'm having a hard time with this.

Dalton RNC, IBCLC

Lactation Resource Center LLC

Louisiana

[Guest guest]

Johanna, I feel the same way. In the beginning I did take every one of these personally and I now know I cannot. I put the info out there and that is it. If I try to contact and leave messages - I only will do it twice - and they do not call back - then I put that folder away. I look at it this way - I did my job that they hired me to do, they know where they can get in touch with me. It rarely happens - but once in awhile it does. Some times it is hard to break the connection - and a few times moms have become a good friend. I also do monthly networking meetings and send out email reminders - this enables me to stay in touch.

When we get busy we cannot spend (I hate to say waste) our time on the moms that don't want anymore help - we need to move on to those that do need us.

regards

Donna Kimick, IBCLC, RLC

[Guest guest]

This might sound really harsh, but I don't put my energy into people who have cancelled, rescheduled and cancelled again. I have enough women who are really committed and need my undivided attention and energy. I don't carry the other stuff with me. I'm not even sure I would have sent her the articles.

Johanna Berger, MSW, IBCLC