Guest guest Posted May 6, 2006 Report Share Posted May 6, 2006 How would others have handled this situation? How sick is "too sick" for an LC to go out to a home? And, do you believe there is a difference between seeing a baby at home who was born at home as opposed to one born in the hospital? Good question. What would you want, if you were a new mother? Why would one bring a new germ into a new baby's world? warmly, Nikki Lee RN, MS, Mother of 2, IBCLC, RLC, CCEcraniosacral therapy practitionerFaculty, Lactation Division Maternal-Infant Program, Union InstituteFilm Reviews Editor, JHLwww.breastfeedingalwaysbest.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 7, 2006 Report Share Posted May 7, 2006 I might let mom and dad know the situation re: sickness and allow them to make the decision if I weren't sure myself. Having had a baby born at home myself I know that I am LESS nervous about germs than with the two that were in hospital. Not sure if it follows medical evidence but my thoughts are that baby's born in hospital have been exposed to a plethora of germs, baby's born at home are exposed to very few germs. Anyone entering my house (esp. to help with BFing) will be exposing me as well and therefore my antibodies will help baby AND baby has only this "new" germ to deal with. I understand both sides and would feel torn if I were the sick LC too!! Christie Pillado El Paso, TX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 7, 2006 Report Share Posted May 7, 2006 this is why i love practicing with a group. if one of us is sick, another of us fills in. if i were the mom, i might prefer lactation support in my desperate moments at the risk of getting sick - and a mask would certainly minimize that risk. *but* - as the IBCLC, i worry about liability - even if the family gives informed consent for me to visit when i am sick. what if something happens? what if the baby gets sick and it develops into something worse than a cold? or even with a cold, what if the family blames other issues on the exposure? i would feel irresponsible *not* telling the family, but too exposed telling them and then visiting anyhow .. . i call and cancel/reschedule with someone else if i am sick. warmly, Lyla -----Original Message-----From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of nleeguitar@...Sent: Saturday, May 06, 2006 6:17 PMTo: Subject: Re: When the LC is sick How would others have handled this situation? How sick is "too sick" for an LC to go out to a home? And, do you believe there is a difference between seeing a baby at home who was born at home as opposed to one born in the hospital? Good question. What would you want, if you were a new mother? Why would one bring a new germ into a new baby's world? warmly, Nikki Lee RN, MS, Mother of 2, IBCLC, RLC, CCEcraniosacral therapy practitionerFaculty, Lactation Division Maternal-Infant Program, Union InstituteFilm Reviews Editor, JHLwww.breastfeedingalwaysbest.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 7, 2006 Report Share Posted May 7, 2006 At 09:16 PM 5/6/2006 -0400, you wrote: >In a message dated 5/6/2006 8:16:18 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, >dianne@... writes: >How would others have handled this situation? How sick is " too sick " for >an LC to go out to a home? And, do you believe there is a difference >between seeing a baby at home who was born at home as opposed to one born >in the hospital? > >Good question. What would you want, if you were a new mother? > Why would one bring a new germ into a new baby's world? > warmly, Well, I definitely would not want the new germ, particularly if I'd chosen a home birth. However, I'd definitely want immediate help with breastfeeding, also. ~Dianne ______________________ Holistic Lactation www.holisticlactation.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 7, 2006 Report Share Posted May 7, 2006 I usually fight bronchitis every fall and I don't see a baby when I am sick. I have a back up LC for illness, vacation, conferences, etc. To me, it's part of being a healthcare professional. The person I use is an IBCLC. I have observed her in action, and even though she takes a little different approach than I do, I have faith in her practice and trust her with my business. She is employed by a hospital, and the good part is that she has no interest in private practice, but enjoys filling in as needed. I use her as a subcontracted employee with no benefits, paid at a flat rate. I also have her listed on my website so moms can read a bit about her there. If something like this is not an option, what about referral to LLL for support? Even if your local leaders don't do home visits, the telephone help from another mom is very valuable and may help her hold on for a couple of days while you recover. Altman RN, IBCLC, LCCEAll The Bestwww.feedyourbaby.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 7, 2006 Report Share Posted May 7, 2006 Dear Colleagues: Another reason that I don't like to work sick is that my thinking and assessment skills become impaired because I don't feel well. I want to be the best for each dyad............ warmly, Nikki Lee RN, MS, Mother of 2, IBCLC, CCEMaternal-Child Adjunct Faculty Union Institute and UniversityFilm Reviews Editor, Journal of Human Lactationwww.breastfeedingalwaysbest.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 7, 2006 Report Share Posted May 7, 2006 This dilemma comes up for me occasionally. I always just leave the decision up to the mom, if I still feel able to work. Some moms are more germ-phobic than others. For me personally as a mother, unless the LC had a high fever and vomiting, I would rather get BF help from someone I chose rather than from a backup LC I never spoke to before. I was different with my first baby though, and she was a 35 weeker, so I probably would have gone with the backup LC or phone helping.If the mom is feeling like she "can't do this for one more second," and there is no backup LC, I would encourage her to follow 's 3 rules, feed the baby, protect the milk supply, and keep baby liking the breast. I am much more worried about the mom giving up rather than nipple confusion.Lynnette Hi All, I do a very small amount of private practice work, seeing moms in their homes and breastfeeding classes. Yesterday I received a call from the father of a 2-day-old baby born at home. I had briefly met the parents at a childbirth class where I gave a short breastfeeding talk. The dad was calling to see if I could come out ASAP as the mom was experiencing very sore nipples. Their midwife was to return again today and they were hoping to get someone out last night. I was not able to go last night but did give them a couple of names of other LCs in their general area (I live about 45 minutes from them.) and the name/number of their nearest LLL Leader. We made arrangements for me to see them this afternoon, my first chance for an appointment. This morning I woke up with a cough that I knew was the progression of a low-level cold that started days ago- to this point the only symptoms were a minor sore throat and then last evening a small throat tickle. This morning, however, the cough had started noticeably. I wrestled with a decision for the first hour or so, trying to decide if I should still go out to see this new mom and baby. I decided against going at 9:00 a.m. and called the mom to tell her how sorry I was but that I just didn't feel right coming out to her home with a newborn baby, particularly one born in the insulated environment of their home. I then immediately left a message for another IBCLC in her area, hoping that she would be able to go out. I also am waiting to hear back from the LLL Leader in the area to see if any of the LLL Leaders make house calls. When I spoke to the mom this morning to cancel our appointment, she sounded very distressed about her nursing experience to this point and said something to the effect that she doesn't know if she can do this. She did seem to understand my cancelling the appointment. I told her that I would call her later (as I had to go out) to see if they were able to find help and to speak to her over the phone regarding basic positioning and latch issues. I'm still weighing the risk of having gone out to their home, being very careful not to spread germs (maybe wearing a mask?) with the risk that this mom will stop bf because she didn't get help soon enough. I know that ultimately it is not my responsibility how all turns out and that we do the best we can, but.... you know what I mean. :-) This is the first time I have cancelled an appointment. How would others have handled this situation? How sick is "too sick" for an LC to go out to a home? And, do you believe there is a difference between seeing a baby at home who was born at home as opposed to one born in the hospital? Thanks very much in advance, Dianne Oliver, IBCLC Simi Valley, CA ______________________ Holistic Lactation www.holisticlactation.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 In a message dated 5/8/2006 5:33:33 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, writes: Re: When the LC is sick This has come up for me because I always seem to be catching what is going around with my kids. Unfortunately, there is no one else in my area that is doing home visits at this time. But I think that it would be far worse if I gave mom and/or baby whatever I have, now not only are they having breastfeeding problems, but they are trying to deal with them with some sort of illness. I agree with someone else that talked about s (I think) rules for keeping things going until I can get there! Barb Cavanaugh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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