Hi,
The other day I was seeing some bf moms on pp unit.  One mom SAID she really
did want to bf, but everything she DID contraindicated this. The baby never
did latch on yet and it was about 24 hrs.  The baby had gotten a few bottles
of formula from nurses and they had formula and pacifiers in the crib at
bedside.  (I am not on staff as LC here - cannot even begin to change this
now).  I encouraged mom to bed-in, skin to skin, d/c artif. teats, showed cup
fdg and eyedropper fdg.  Tried different postions gently etc.  Her nipples
were very flat, breasts large.  I don't make a big deal of this, as I believe
the baby would latch if all the other artificials were d/c'd.  I encouraged
pump use til baby latched to get colostrum and even made an inverted syringe
to help evert nipples right before a fdg attempt.  Gave lots of support,
several pieces of printed info, phone no. for help, etc.
BUT every time I'd go to check on her, she was fdg the formula via bottle and
using pacifier, not pumping yet (next day) and saying I really want to bf,
but I'll try when I get home.  Of course I let her know as tactfully as I can
that she is digging a deeper and deeper hole that will be harder each day to
crawl out of.  She has LC number and LLL.  I almost offered nipple shield -
but baby was only day or 2 old.  I really don't know if the shield would have
been the thing, but I did not use it as I sensed this mom just wasn't really
going to try any intervention offered and may not follow tx plan re weaning
from shield. As I would not be following her, I referred her to a community
based LC who may or may not have used the shield.  Would you guys have pulled
it out in hospital? Post to list or private to [log in to unmask]
Laurie Wheeler, Rnc, Mn, Ibclc