Dear all,
Rented out a (medicaid) pump to a mom today whose 1.5 week old baby has
been taken by dss. Everyone on the postpartum floor (social workers, drs.,
NPs) have been calling dss on this mom's behalf but they took the baby
anyway. I am not filled in on the gritty details but mom herself - who
presented with extreme engorgement today, due to baby being taken yesterday
while mom is fully lactating - told me she has 'moved around a lot in the
past' and the judge promised her baby will be returned to her in one month
if Mom remains at the same address. The social worker told me it was 'a
power thing' for dss. I tell you, the staff is jaded by the number of tough
cases that go through this hospital: the outcry over this Mom is unusual.
Mom wants to pump to maintain her supply till she gets the baby back in one
month. She also wants to take EBM for foster parents to feed to baby. I
have this horrible feeling foster parents will think 'yuk' and toss it down
the sink. I hope I am underestimating them. If mom knows her baby is
actually getting the milk she might be motivated to keep pumping.
Does anyone have any experience at all of giving milk to foster parents?! I
gave mom guidelines on collection and storage, with an extra copy for dss.
I said I'll write letters for her re breastmilk, also something for the
judge next month stating her commitment to the baby - pumping milk. I
really hope she keeps it up...
Any other ideas on how I can help this Mom? She is 21, this is her 3rd
child - and the only one she has breastfed. I helped her in the early days,
she did really well - I was shocked when they took her baby...
Anne Merewood