Where else to go to but to you all for info, support, and sharing..

We get used to being the saviorettes of sore nipples, the listening ear for
sleep problems, the magic button pushers for some babes and moms...

In the past 3 weeks I've had a run on discharges from the hospital of babies
not suckling well at all at the breast. 3 of the 5 I can't seem to put my
finger on why these babies can't get it together except to lump a whole
combination of factors together. They all have shown that they CAN nurse-
just not great yet. All 5 had gaining problems- 4 of 5 starting off at about
5 pounds, 3 moms with low supply, one who got it turned around but now her
baby is preferring the bottle, one cephelahematoma (huge), 3 with subsequent
jaundice, one smoker, 2 three week early babies, tube feeder not liked by
those parents with babies with good latching but poor sustaining; stadol is
being used more I am noticing at the hospital (3 moms/babes with it). Only
one of these babies is now "doing it"- very persistent parents,  and great
sadness on the part of the four who aren't--one is weaning, three are
supplementing.

I guess this is a whine post, a need-for-encouragement post, a genuine sense
of confusion and sadness on my part that I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO BUT I
CAN'T MOVE IN WITH YOU post,  and a wish for more sore nipples that today I
feel at least adequate to handle...

Got any "been there felt that" encouraging words for me?

Karen Foard, IBCLC          State College, PA