Employee orientation at local hospital

[ErinsJuneBug]

I just got a job working at a local hospital on a med/surg floor. Today was day one of orientation. First we watched a movie on different stages people go through and age considerations - and every single baby was drinking out of a bottle, there were at least 5 mentioned of mixing formula or giving a baby a bottle, and the video encouraged nurses in pedi/maternity to cuddle the baby and feed him so that the new mom could get a break!

THEN I started talking the woman next to me - the job she was starting was nurse coordinator for postnatal community mothers. She told me the first thing she was going to do would be to stop the hospital new mothers breastfeeding support, and change it to simply a new moms group. ummm...yeah. She mentioned that she had a 4 month old and (still trying to act like breastfeeding is normal) I said "Oh man your breasts must be killing you for being away from her for so long." to which she replied "ewww I don’t do that." :

THIS is why I'm on the med/surg floor.

[KirstenMary]

Originally Posted by ErinsJuneBug

I just got a job working at a local hospital on a med/surg floor. Today was day one of orientation. First we watched a movie on different stages people go through and age considerations - and every single baby was drinking out of a bottle, there were at least 5 mentioned of mixing formula or giving a baby a bottle, and the video encouraged nurses in pedi/maternity to cuddle the baby and feed him so that the new mom could get a break!

THEN I started talking the woman next to me - the job she was starting was nurse coordinator for postnatal community mothers. She told me the first thing she was going to do would be to stop the hospital new mothers breastfeeding support, and change it to simply a new moms group. ummm...yeah. She mentioned that she had a 4 month old and (still trying to act like breastfeeding is normal) I said "Oh man your breasts must be killing you for being away from her for so long." to which she replied "ewww I don’t do that." :

THIS is why I'm on the med/surg floor.

I am in shock. And the "Ewww, I don't do that" is completely unacceptable for a woman in her professional position. While I am sure you don't want to make waves, I would try to find a way to let her bias be known. I have a feeling she is going to sabotage many new BFing moms. :

[ErinsJuneBug]

I honestly didnt know what to say - it was crazy! Kristen you're in mass too, right?

Anyway when we took a tour i was glad to see a huge display of breastfeeding material in the maternity ward. That was the only positive note.

[MaryJaneLouise]

. Wow. Just, wow.

[GooeyRN]

Sadly that is one of the reasons why I do not work ob. I also work med/surg. It saves me a lot of ill feelings. Good luck in your new position.

[mytwogirls]

Oh my god. I worked for three years as an RN in L&D and let me tell ya, I would walk away from that job all the time doing this I swear to god I would. It was horrible. I had to leave (LONG STORY!!!) because of a breast feeding issue that concerned me pumping. Anyway, it was rough and things are changing rapidly for the worse in that whole area and it sad as can be. I wish I could change it, but that would like going bear hunting with a stick.

[veganf]

Crap, I hope something can be done about both the film and the new employee with the anti-breastfeeding issues. Maybe talk with the MA Breastfeeding Coalition and let them know which hospital it is.

[KirstenMary]

Originally Posted by ErinsJuneBug

I honestly didnt know what to say - it was crazy! Kristen you're in mass too, right?

Anyway when we took a tour i was glad to see a huge display of breastfeeding material in the maternity ward. That was the only positive note.

Yep, I am!

[rmzbm]

Wow.

[TinkerBelle]

That simply shocks me. I had my kids in two different hospitals and both places were extremely supportive of BF. Yes, they did hand out the dreaded "diaper bags", but the nurses were very pro-BF, the lactation consultants were great, and pumps and information about BF was readily available.

[homewithtwinsmama]

Give an anonymous heads up to your local breastfeeding and AP groups. A hosp. in MD cancelled its breastfeeding support group and press and public pressure got it reinstated quickly. Also maybe a heads up to the LCs at this hospital so they don't get blindsided by this wretch!

[forthebest]

Is it any wonder many women are 'put off' breastfeeding. I'm getting very disallusioned with the attitude of certain people regards anything natural these days. I hope you can help to enlighten people like this community nurse. Ok thats probably asking way too much!Tsk, dreadful that she should be in the position she is with an attitude against breastfeeding like that. How awful.

[*MamaJen*]

Originally Posted by homewithtwinsmama

Give an anonymous heads up to your local breastfeeding and AP groups. A hosp. in MD cancelled its breastfeeding support group and press and public pressure got it reinstated quickly. Also maybe a heads up to the LCs at this hospital so they don't get blindsided by this wretch!

That sounds like good advice and it wouldn't put you at risk. I don't think I could sit back and not do anything.

[ThreeBeans]

Originally Posted by ErinsJuneBug

I just got a job working at a local hospital on a med/surg floor. Today was day one of orientation. First we watched a movie on different stages people go through and age considerations - and every single baby was drinking out of a bottle, there were at least 5 mentioned of mixing formula or giving a baby a bottle, and the video encouraged nurses in pedi/maternity to cuddle the baby and feed him so that the new mom could get a break!

THEN I started talking the woman next to me - the job she was starting was nurse coordinator for postnatal community mothers. She told me the first thing she was going to do would be to stop the hospital new mothers breastfeeding support, and change it to simply a new moms group. ummm...yeah. She mentioned that she had a 4 month old and (still trying to act like breastfeeding is normal) I said "Oh man your breasts must be killing you for being away from her for so long." to which she replied "ewww I don’t do that." :

THIS is why I'm on the med/surg floor.

What hospital, Kirsten? I'm in Massachusetts as well.

[sapphire_chan]

From "ban the bag" to the person in charge of the maternity ward actively sabotaging other women's chances at breastfeeding. In what 2 years? I don't know who is in the Massachusetts government right now, but I think many things about them that violate the UA.

[Teyu]

Ugh. Wtf. That is pretty deplorable.

[nataliebassoon]

Just one more reason not to have your baby in a hospital!

[honeybunch2k8]

Originally Posted by nataliebassoon

Just one more reason not to have your baby in a hospital!

Yep!

Are they not aware that a newborn's sucking reflex is strongest within the first 30 minutes after birth and not having babe at the breast could cause problems?

If they are really concerned about moms being tired FEED those poor women and stop making them push against gravity. There I said it lol.

Hmph.

:

[Da WIC Lady]

Maybe you could send her medical information on BF annonymously through interoffice mail? Do you know any of the pedis on staff? Maybe let them know, again annonymously if needed, that she's planning on actively sabotaging breastfeeding at their hospital along with a copy of the AAP Breastfeeding and the use of human milk attached.

[jessjgh1]

I'm in MA too, and I'm sure I did not have Rebecca in that hospital.

Sad.

Jessica