Hi! I just got off the phone with the mom I wrote about a couple of weeks ago
who was anticipating giving birth to a spina bifida baby. She had the csection 2
weeks ago and delivered a beautiful 7+ lb baby girl, Katie. Katie has had to
have 2 surgeries already, the second one for some kind of shunt, but is doing
beautifully otherwise. Mom is pumping and they are feeding her by bottle (won't
let her try bf yet--may be due as much to lack of appropriate area in the NICU
as anything), and baby is totally on breast milk. Mom says she eats more when
she feeds her than when the nurses do it (smart baby!), and spends much of the
time just stroking her and talking to her. She can't hold her yet. Baby will
probably be in the hospital for 4 weeks or so.

It was such an upper talking to this mom. She was so pleased with herself for
being able to pump 8 oz at a time and is determined to continue. She said they
have told her that Katie will never walk, though mom and dad both have noticed
reactions to cold and stroking on her legs and toes--something she is not
supposed to be able to feel. They are hopeful that she will have some feeling
and minimal functioning, even if she never walks.

As before, it was SUCH a pleasure talking to this dedicated mom. She was most
appreciative to all the lactnet support, too!

Thanks to all!

Melissa Vickers, IBCLC
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