Hear, hear, Allison and Jeanette! The U. S. has a tattered patchwork of
provision of postpartum help, in total denial of the needs of women who
have just experienced a major physiologic or surgical event. There seems to
be a consensus and provision for every woman to have a trained birth
attendant, whatever her resources may be. How can we send families home
with no first-week followup set up except a 15-minute pediatric visit?!


Yes! How I wish for regular home checkups and support for Moms. Moms can
hardly sit down and we expect them to pack baby up and drive to get baby's
weight and color checked. Many times I just want to scoop them up and take
care of them (the moms, holding their babies) and put them to bed so they
can rest. And when they have to pump or express - I envision someone
handing them the clean, necessary supplies then taking them away so Mom
doesn't have to concern herself w/storage and cleanup. And then hand them
soup and a sandwich. :-)
Allison Laverty Montag BA, IBCLC
Wisconsin USA
<<<How I wish we had a "respite care" for mothers and babies together after
discharge - a "home" (or home service) where they could come for the day,
get food and support, education for their support persons, and a reduction
in stress "I was sure my baby was going to die unless he got formula!"
That's what I needed, too - in 1971, living far away from family.  Luckily I
had La Leche League Leaders to call (as this mom called me)!
Our descriptions of newborn infant behavior need to extend BEYOND the
"Magical hour" or "the second night" to what it is really like to have a
newborn at home - and where help is available when panic is setting in!
Jeanette Panchula >>>>


-- 
Ruth Piatak, BA, MS, LLLL, IBCLC
Tulsa, Oklahoma
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