In a message dated 5/7/0 3:33:35 AM, [log in to unmask] writes:
<< I would really like to see the terminology 'risks of artificial
feeding' used more often instead of 'advantages of breastfeeding'.
People really need to understand the risks associated with giving formula
to babies. Then maybe I wouldn't see so many instances where moms are
told to 'top up' with formula after nursing 'just to be safe', or to
supplement because weight gain is slow (though not outside of normal
limits) 'just to be safe' or to pump and discard and feed formula while
the mom's on medication 'just to be safe'. Supplementing is sometimes
seen as risky only in that it can undermine the breastfeeding
relationship, which translates to, as long as it doesn't undermine the
breastfeeding relationship, supplementing is fine.
Yes, I know, I'm preaching to the choir. I guess it's just been one of
those days - thanks for listening.>>
Marcia,
You may be preaching to the choir, but I find that even many LC's are
reluctant to discuss AF in this way. I think we do need to discuss it and
normalize the terminology associated with AF. Just this week, I had a mom
call me b/c her ped referred her. Her baby had lost significant wt in 3 days
and mom was sore. The hospital IBCLC told her that it would take some time
for her nipples to "toughen", but she was convinced it shouldn't hurt so much
(good for her!). So, when she saw the ped, mom was engorged and the ped was
even more helpful--told her to get a pump to soften the areola, but gave her
formula to feed in the meantime!!! Now, this practice rents pumps!! All she
had to do was lend the mom a pump (I would've taught her to hand express),
let her pump in the office and then help her latch the baby on, using the EBM
to feed baby at breast if needed). But, here it was, 8:30 at night and I am
sending the mom out to the nearby hospital (not where she birthed) to get a
pump after spending 45 minutes giving accurate info. I sent her to that
hospital's LC (who is great and was on at the time), so she showed her enough
to get her through the night. But within 3 days, she had been given seriosely
wrong info (baby was latching on the nipple--in case you hadn't all guessed
already) and her baby had been given formula and her milk supply had not even
been considered in the equation!!!! So, yeah, IMO, we need to keep talking
about this, b/c it is *so* important.
Jennifer Tow, IBCLA, CT, USA (w/ dirt under my nails from the garden,
finally!)
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