Becky - what a difficult situation.

But what *are* we (as a culture) asking mothers to do these days....a
mother has twins, born (from what you say) small for gestational age with
the anxiety and need for extra care all that implies, and she very soon
goes back to work full time. This of course necessitates a lot of
organisation and expressing of milk...and  the anxiety and need for extra
care all that implies.  Just 'doing it',  which we know is the best way to
get bf to work happily for *everyone* , isn't an option.


Then add to all that a know-zilch paediatrician, suspected lactose
intolerance and a break (however short) in the bf.... and  the anxiety and
need for extra care all that implies.

>
>Spoke with mother today.  Supply is greatly increased, but babies still
>routinely refuse to latch on even to a full breast in the morning hours.
>The only time they will nurse without any fuss is when mother gets them out
>of bed and puts them to breast in the middle of the night.  Once the babies
>DO finally latch on - if they do - at least one breastfeeds well all the
>time.  The other does fairly well once she gets going.  It's like the babies
>are averted to the breast, as though they do not associate it with comfort
>or nourishment.

Well, they're drawing the right conclusion, poor little babies  : (

Is it too fanciful of me to think that these babies are saying 'no' in the
only way they can, to a crazy situation where their mummy is away from them
for so long, and is so worried about them, when they have their milk given
by a day carer (maybe several) in a bottle, and where the supply  of milk
from the breast (for all the reasons outlined) is unreliable?
>
>Mother is *extremely* committed, but TIRED, and wishing for this to be less
>work and more reward.  I encouraged co-sleeping.

Yes - anything to get them all together.

I haven't got any great ideas - you seem to be doing everything and
thinking of supportive and practical things that certainly  stand a chance
of helping - except turn the clock back, and give this mother at least a
year maternity leave or at least the option of  part-time or home-based
working.

Heather Welford Neil
NCT bfc Newcastle upon Tyne UK

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