Lisa Mather, LPN, IBCLC, RLC, ably assisted by
Melanie Jenkins, RN, IBCLC, recently brought the HUG Your Baby Teacher Training (Parts I and II) to Carolinas Medical
Center-University in Charlotte, North Carolina. Lisa and Melanie are responsible for the Cuddle Me Closely
program. Most of the enthusiastic group work right there at the Maternity Center. Special thanks go to Anja Daily, Clinical Nurse Specialist for
joining us from CMC-Main.
It was a busy, rainy Monday and some
participants had to slip in and out to help with patient care. But that did not seem to dull their
enthusiasm as the ideas and questions continued to flow.
We explored the special
challenges of implementing a new approach at a busy in-patient setting. The group
particularly enjoyed viewing
and discussing the videos of parents and babies. They voiced how learning the "Zones" and "SOSs- Signs of Over-Stimulation" and
practicing broadcasting and commentating could help with their lactation program as they
move towards the Baby Friendly
Hospital designation. Comments on the course evaluations included "It was great" and
"Good information" and suggested "more role play on
the basics of observing an infant and really learning the SOSs and Zones."
We
look forward to an ongoing relationship with CMC supporting them in
their work to help young families to learn to understand the language
of their newborns and to extend lactation duration.