How I identify with you girls and supplements. By law in South Africa we
have to promote b/f but it means not a jot!! When I got the post as
"Breastfeeding Sister" I found the day staff giving out bottles ad lib and
every crib had a bottle in it - " I threw my toys out of the cot" so to
speak (not the way to go) and stopped the bottles and everyone thought the
babies were going to die of hunger - then I found that the nightstaff were
giving 40-50 mls of formula about 2-3 times a night - I put up notices with
references on the board - underlined and hi-lighted and we now give
supplements of 10mls once a night with a "softcup" - the progress has been
very slow and painful but it is there. If a mother insists I record it
in the report. The staff are only supposed to give supplements with the
mother's informed consent. We also have a b/f policy in the ward signed by
the staff but unless they understand they won't follow it as I have found
out. A mother can do something if her lactation is not handled correctly.
Another thing I have found out in the last 10 months is never ever put
a primup who wants to breastfeed with a mother that is bottle-feeding - the
b/f mother invariably lands bottle-feeding as it appears easier until she
gets home.
I am beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel and have found
out - never expect an overnight transformation.
Barbie Currie.
Nelspruit, Mpumalanga where it is very hot and beautiful.