I need some input from others here, experienced or new. I've visited this
mom twice and given her all the suggestions I can think of, and could use
some other suggestions, and/or reassurance. I haven't been able to reach by
phone the leaders I'd normally call as backup.
Baby boy born drug-free, vaginal birth, at UCLA Hosp., shortly after
midnight, early Wed. a.m. (10/16), 6lbs15oz, 21" long. Today is his 5th day
out in the world. From birth, he's been continually extremely sleepy/lazy.
He was given pacifier in hospital by nurses, against mom's wishes, and mom
was told that it didn't make any difference (grrrrr!) Mom's original call to
me was Friday (2 days old) when she had extremely painful cracked bleeding
nipples.
To make this a bit shorter for you all, I'll be brief with my descriptions,
but please understand that I did talk a lot with mom in reassuring tones,
lots of gentle loving nurturing counseling, etc. The primary points I
emphasized to her (and I did go over these same things prior to the birth, as
I was also their childbirth teacher for a private class) were:
Positions, comfort, pillows, nutrition, plenty of rest, latch, duration,
frequency (really stressed not going longer than 2-3 hours), tongue-suck
exercises (both of them), stimulating a lazy nurser/sleepy baby, etc.
I did a home visit Friday and Sat., and spoke with them by phone today, and
they are not following my advice. They talk about how nice it is that the
baby sleeps for 5 hours, and how family members tell them they're lucky the
baby sleeps. She wants to exclusively breastfeed, and doesn't see anything
wrong with doing that. HOWEVER, I'm getting seriously concerned that baby is
lethargic, jaundiced and dehydrated. Today, they bought a cheapo electric
pump, hoping to put bm into a bottle for baby. I asked her again about the
frequency and she says, "the baby seems comfortable going 5 hours, and I do
drip milk, so I think I have enough milk. maybe he gets plenty of milk at
each feeding and I don't need to worry about nursing more often." I told her
that the fact that she's leaking doesn't mean she shouldn't be trying to
build up her milk supply. Mom says baby has 2-3 barely wet diapers a day,
and 1-2 poopy ones that look like a little spot of wasabe (but yellow/orange)
on them - way too dry for my comfort level. I suggested switching to cloth
diapers for a little while to be sure of the output. Dad says he thinks it's
more like 5 wet diapers in a day.
Input please, with full, frank discussion ASAP? They go to pediatrician
tomorrow and I really want to know what they're told then.
Donna J. Harvey
Chairperson, Kern County Breastfeeding Promotion Coalition
Group Leader, La Leche League of Tehachapi, CA
"Mother-to-Mother Help with Breastfeeding"
La Leche League, International's MISSION STATEMENT:
Our mission is to help mothers worldwide to breastfeed through
mother-to-mother support, encouragement, information, and education and to
promote a better understanding of breastfeeding as an important element in
the healthy development of the baby and mother.
LLLI Board of Directors, May 89; rev Apr 93
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