I had a wonderful teaching opportunity today.  I was caring for a
baby who was born a little early.  Mom was trying desparatelt to
BF.  After 24 hours of no effective latch, she decided to bottle
feed (much to spouse's pleasure).  Well this kid would not open his
mouth and suck on that rubber teat either.  The mom was upset, so I
offered to try some alternative techniques.  She agreed to pump,
and I cup fed the baby EBM and some ABM.  She was amazed that a
newborn baby would drink from a cup.  He started taking 30cc q2h.
He cup fed like a pro.  When the next shift came in, I showed the
RN how to cup feed so she could assist.  She was just tickled to
see "how cute it was."  She called half the hospital to come see
this new baby drink from a cup.  It was an excellent teaching
episode because now the staff is aware that if supplements are
warranted or requested by an INFORMED mother, we can cup feed
instead of using rubber teats.

I referred the mother to an IBCLC at a hospital that was closer to
her, but she insisted on returning to see me.  She was so grateful
that she didn't have to stop BF and that her baby was finally
getting something to eat.

The 3-11 nurse called the Ped to get an order to d/c (he had
forgotten, the mother had already been d/c'd).  He asked if
anything was out of the ordinary, and the nurse told him about our
feedings.  Well I want you to know that Ped said, "well it's not
ideal, but I guess that it's OK."--

Not ideal???  Does he think I don't realize this.  Ideal would be a
perfect LATCH score with good milk transfer.  I wish i couldv'e
called him and said "if you have any better ideas, come on in and
show me."  I worked very hard with this family (low S/E status,
high risk).  I felt as if I had done all in my power to FEED THE
BABY (rule #1).

Sorry for the outburst--I just get a little frustrated at under
eduacted peds who try to undermine my efforts to assure every
parent knows the risks of ABM and how to effectively BF their
child!!
~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~
Jeffrey S. Fouche, RN, BSN
Assistant Director of Maternal/Child Services
Prepared Childbirth & Breastfeeding Educator
COLUMBIA Barrow Medical Center
Winder, GA                                                      E-mail:  [log in to unmask]
http://members.gnn.com/jsfouche/breastfeeding.html
Dad to Tanner 06-28-95    "Affordable healthcare begins with breastfeeding."