By Tanya Cronin

Need for lactation consultant at RIH sparks petition

Mar 20, 2018 | 5:03 PM

KAMLOOPS — They are specialists in their field, trained to help mothers experiencing breastfeeding problems such as latching difficulties, painful nursing, and low milk production. Lactation consultants play a vital role for mom and baby while in hospital, and in the weeks to follow.

According to Stats Canada, one of the most common reasons women stop breastfeeding is due to difficulty with breastfeeding technique. Two years ago, the LC position at Royal Inland Hospital was eliminated, forcing many mothers to seek specialized support through public health, or on their own. One Kamloops mother is launching a petition to reinstate a lactation consultant at RIH.

Kelsey Cobbe and her 21 month old daughter Octavia find comfort in reading books together. A bonding moment, much like the days they spent breastfeeding. A special experience, but one that wasn’t easy at first.

“I gave birth to her almost 2 years ago and there wasn’t a lactation consultant on staff then, so I noticed a gap in service where there’s just not consistant support, everyone’s getting different opinions from perinatal nurses which are great at their job, but they’re not specifically trained in lactation,” says Kamloops Mother Kelsey Cobbe.

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Octavia was born in June of 2016, shortly after the lactation consultant position at Royal Inland Hospital was eliminated. Kelsey educated herself in breastfeeding and received some support to be successful, but knows not all mothers are as fortunate.

“That’s where the guilt comes in, feeling bad that you’re not able to produce or not able to feed your milk, so it’s very surprising, it’s sad and a lot of women end up leaving the hospital confused, in pain, not knowing where to go and having to seek out their own support.”

Kelsey has launched an online petition to bring an LC back to the hospital. As of Tuesday afternoon, she had collected 1200 signatures of support, along with testimonials that she plans to present to Interior Health in an effort to create change. 

“We are a tier two hospital, the recommendation by Perinatal Services BC is that we have a full-time lactation consultant on staff, that’s the guideline for all the hospitals in BC depending on where they rank.”

“If a mom has a complex medical history, has medications on board, has some physical disabilities, or even an infant with some challenges as well, we can help problem solve and work together to meet breastfeeding goals, or even making milk as well if breastfeeding isn’t an option,” says Joanne Juras with BreastFeeding Matters.

For new mothers, breastfeeding is often an experience that fosters a multitude of feelings including anxiety, anticipation, fear and excitement. Lactation consultants are vital in helping moms navigate the world of breast and bottle feeding, especially during baby’s first few days of life.   

“Those early days are very critcal when women are fragile, they’re trying to recover, they’re maybe a bit vulnerable in situations, yes the nursing staff are very capable of helping with breastfeeding and the latch, but sometimes the complexity is a little bit more that requires a little bit more hands on and intervention.” 

Kelsey Cobbe is getting ready to welcome her second child in May. Her plan is to breastfeed again, and create that same ‘magical’ bond, as with big sister Octavia.

“I have educated myself to see maybe if something’s not going right, I know where to find help, but that’s been two years of breastfeeding and being in the community and making those connections, as a first time mom I wouldn’t have known where to go,” says Cobbe.

To access the online petition click here.