This morning the nursery nurse informed me that she had a new baby that
would be bf. He was term but small for gestational age, 5#6. He was born
about 2am and was now about 6.5 hrs old, had received only sugar water
(routine at my facility - can't seem to get this changed - still trying). He
was in a crib to maybe go out to mom (several hours separation  is usual)
but had gotten cold so she put him under the radiant warmer and was going to
give him some formula, feeling this would help.
I said "I'm against it. Skin to skin will warm the baby up much better and
he could breastfeed."
Surprisingly the nurse was willing to try this. I called the mother to see
if she was willing, and she was. (Don't be surprised, many mothers do
"breast/bottle" and do not feed their babies the first half day or more).
The baby warmed up 1.1 degrees F when placed skin to skin and exhibited
feeding cues and nursed both breasts for a good feed. The mother had ample
colostrum.
At less than 12 hrs of age, the pediatrician came by and circumsized him. He
was lethargic afterwards (separated from mom again for awhile) and didn't
want to nurse several hours later, but put him skin to skin (kangaroo style)
and in about 30 min he cued again and fed.
I also put colostrum on his fingers and hands at first feeding, feeling like
this is a good idea for the frequent separations so that hand to mouth
activity gives baby the scent and taste of mom and he'll find her again when
re-united.
This was a lovely victory and I was quite appreciative of the nurse for
trusting me, and I told her so. I hope it taught a little lesson and the
other nurses learned too.
Yes, this hospital is quite barbaric if you ask me, but it is not at all
unusual in this area.

Laurie Wheeler, IBCLC, MN, RN
New Orleans Louisiana, s.e. USA

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