I recently posted about this mom with Lupus. Now unknown illness has put our
attempts to get baby to latch on more comfortably on hold. First three weeks
baby experienced jaundice and weight loss. Supplemented with formula and
bottle. Mom rented pump (pumping 3x day) and was BF 2-3X day (she was cracked
and in pain) and giving EBM and formula the rest of the time. Weight did go
up and jaundice went down but hemoglobin went down. Baby had a transfusion
today almost in congestive heart failure before transfusion occurred. Doctors
still don't know why her red blood cells are dying as fast as she can make
them. I got the mom to begin pumping more (pumping every two hours).I told
her that it was most important that the baby got the breastmilk any way
possible. This was supported by the doctors in the hospital who were glad she
was maintaining her supply.Mom really proud baby only got 2oz. of formula
today but she really wants to get baby to breast (her cracks still not
completely healed). She is concerned about the number of bottles baby has
gotten. Earlier when I saw her the pain of trying to nurse was very stressful
and not knowing what is wrong with baby has added more stress. Mom has an SNS
and I showed her how to use it but we put that on the back burner while baby
in hospital. Today we talked about finger feeding with the SNS to avoid
bottles (one step closer to BF and mom really wants to BF ) It's going to be
a long road til we get this baby to breast. Has anyone got any ideas about
what is wrong with this baby ?
Robin B. Frees, BA, IBCLC Malvern PA
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