Hi Miriam, I am horrified at this hospital's attitude and totally agree with your thoughts. However, it sounds like the hospital staff are unlikely to change their stance on this. The only thing I'm wondering about is maybe they would consider a supply line with EBM in the bottle whilst the baby suckles at the breast. Your follow-through woman is very fortunate to have you as a support and advocate. My younger grandson was born at 27/40 (surviving twin) and started breastfeeding at about 34/40. However, it could/should have been earlier. He actually attached really well and was "easier" to get on the breast than his older brother, born at 37/40! I'm sure Jack Newman would have something on breastfeeding premmies in his articles, go to www.erols.com/cindyrn/drjack0.htm It's also really easy to contact him direct by email. The word of a world renowned paediatrician may carry some weight! Also ABA has a booklet on breastfeeding premmies. Keep up the good work. Regards, Joy
Joy Cocks RN (Div 1) RM CBE IBCLC BRIGHT Vic 3741 email:[EMAIL PROTECTED] ----- Original Message ----- From: "Miriam Hannay" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au> Sent: Friday, January 07, 2005 22:04 PM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Breastfeeding a premmie baby (very long) > Hi all, hope you can help me with advice for a follow > through woman (i am a commencing 2nd yr Bmid > student)who had her babe by emerg. LSCS at 35 weeks on > 22nd December due to PROM + active labour, baby > footling breech. Babe was 2490 grams at birth but had > pretty bad RDS and spent a week in NICU requiring > heaps of oxygen support. All's well now, and mum has > marvellous milk supply which she would love to give > her baby, BUT!! > > The woman has been expressing 8 times in 24 hours and > getting 60-100 mLs per session, babe is being gavage > fed in nursery and is constantly sleepy and not keen > to go on the breast. When the woman requested no dummy > and bottle and to be called when her babe woke to > start establishing demand feeding at breast, staff > immediately became VERY negative, refusing to speak > with her, ignoring requests for assistance etc. She > was told she was 'doing it the hard way' and that if > she refused to allow her baby to be given EBM by > bottle she would end up stuck in hospital for weeks. > She has allowed the baby to be given EBM by bottle and > does feel that breastfeeding is improving but feels > uncomfortable with staff and that she's not being > given the chance to give breastfeeding a good shot. I > have watched her feed and when alert the baby feeds > well, the woman's attachment technique is great and > they are a great unit. I have four of my own, all > extended breastfed so I feel confident in supporting > her breastfeeding but am lost with these nursery > protocols. One midwife told her that nipple confusion > was 'crap' and that without bottle feeding as > transition her baby would take much longer > 'graduating' to the breast. Every core of my being > screams out that these people are WRONG but i'm not > sure where the best evidence lies. My Maye's Midwifery > supports the idea of demand feeding premmies and > avoiding nipple confusion but the info is a little > light for my liking. What do you all think? This woman > has been told to expect her baby to be in hospital > until she's term but she's desperate to get her home > ASAP. Any advice would be wonderful, regards, miriam > > Find local movie times and trailers on Yahoo! Movies. > http://au.movies.yahoo.com > -- > This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. > Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe. > -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
