LACTNET Archives

Lactation Information and Discussion

LACTNET@COMMUNITY.LSOFT.COM

Options: Use Forum View

Use Monospaced Font
Show Text Part by Default
Show All Mail Headers

Message: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]
Topic: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]
Author: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]

Print Reply
Subject:
From:
Glenn Evans <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Mon, 24 Mar 1997 19:15:32 -0800
Content-Type:
text/plain
Parts/Attachments:
text/plain (19 lines)
If baby is not still in the hospital, I would do a number of things to encourage better breastfeeding:

1)  Do a rebirthing.  Not actually for baby to be born again, but put mom and baby in warm bath, and put baby on mom's belly, with baby's head at about mom's umbilicus.  Keep the bath warm, and give the baby a chance to "crawl up."  That's probably an experience she missed out on the first time around anyway.

2)  Get mom and baby on a honeymoon -- back to bed, skin/skin, with lots of support from partner to provide mom with nourishment and comfort measures, and a lot of access to breast.

3)  Pump briefly before a feeding, to enhance and quicken the letdown in response to baby's sucking.  Then pump after, to make sure of a plentiful supply.

If baby is still in the hospital, see what you can do to facilitate #2&#3, above.
For instance, readmit mom as well, or get her a cot nearby, and have her kangaroo with the baby whenever she is not actually nursing.

Our hospital also uses 10% as the maximum allowable weight loss, and actually, many of our nurses start worrying when it gets to 8%, and start mom pumping then, if she hasn't been pumping sooner, to bring in more milk so there will be more milk for baby at the breast, and so there will be more to express if supplemental systems become necessary.

I think for babies like this one (early babies, LBW), if not for all breastfeeding babies, follow-up needs to be done the day after discharge, either at home or in hospital/clinic -- not a phone call, and at that time be assessed as to when the next visit should be, or if further intervention is necessary.  Baby's who are at greater risk to lose weight need to be SEEN sooner than those less at risk. Talking on the phone to determine these infants' well-being leaves a very large margin for error.  We are starting to see some readmits to our hospital as well, as rigorously as we work to make sure good feeding is occuring before they leave, and despite the fact that most of our moms get home visits. ( I wonder if the readmits are the ones who then only get followed by phone, as opposed to those who get second, or even third home visits.)

In terms of hospital concerns about financial costs,  the cost of early and adequate follow-up and trouble shooting has to be much less than the cost of readmits.  Not to mention the undeterminable cost to babies' overall health, growth and development.  

Sincerely, Chanita

ATOM RSS1 RSS2