Today’s spotlight belongs to Patricia Berg-Drazin, IBCLC, RLC, CST, owner and founder of Breastfeeding and Parenting Solutions. As a lactation consultant, she sees her role in helping families as having all the information they need available so they can make the decision that is best for them. A part of that is assisting and supporting them so they will achieve their breastfeeding goals.
While having more years of experience may be one of the things that separate Patricia from many of her colleagues, of greater value and importance is that she is continually studying other techniques that she can use to assist the families she works with. She reads not only breastfeeding journals and articles but also journals and articles that may contain other information that will help her help new parents. She attends conferences that challenge and push her further. She also talks to colleagues worldwide in venues where they are all asking questions, discussing research and allied information. The constant learning and improvement are the best way to stay in the top of your field - we salute you Patricia!
She vows to continue to seek information and resources for the families she work with for as long as they want. Empowering parents – that is her greatest achievement
For Patricia, waiting for the problem or problems to resolve on their own may be the biggest mistake made by parents. She hopes that all parents get acquainted with an IBCLC before they deliver so that if or when they run into difficulties, they have someone they know they can call to. While there are occasions where things will get better on their own, too often over time they do not improve and parents have less inner resources to work through a problem even if they get help. The longer the problem exists, the longer it will take to resolve.
This year, Patricia hopes to gain more “tools” for her tool box or in simpler terms, more knowledge to add to her experience. She also wants to continue to focus on helping families and helping colleagues to learn how structural issues impact lactation.
Like most lactation consultants, Patricia started in La Leche League. She was a member, became a leader and then trained leaders. While this was fulfilling and important, she wanted to be able to have a more active role and be able to advocate for parents with their health care professionals when they needed someone to do so for them.
When asked what are some other things we should know about her or her business as a lactation consultant, she confides that she sees her role as one of being a resource. She wants to help parents have all the information available so that they can make the decision that is right for them. There are no “right” or “wrong” decisions – but without information, one cannot make an informed decision.
Before ending this interview, Patricia leaves us with her best breastfeeding tip: “Trust your instincts, you know your baby better than anyone else. Your baby did not read the book – they are each individuals.”
For more information on Breastfeeding and Parenting Solutions you may visit their website at http://www.breastfeedingandparentingsolutions.com , call them at 847-512-7187 or in Illinois at 1-800-LACTATE or you may email at [email protected]
