> <<As I read this I can't help wondering about the influence of the hospital
> routines on this mother's feelings. Why is the baby in the nursery at night?
> Mother and baby need to be together. Why did the baby get formula at night?
> Was it truly the mother's idea, or was it - and I have OFTEN heard this -
> the nurse strongly suggesting that she needs to rest, she shouldn't be a
> martyr, she doesn't have much milk now anyway, the babies do better if they
> get some formula at night, etc. Or even if the mother did suggest it, was it
> happily accepted as a good idea, or was she told about some of the risks of
> giving even one bottle?>>>
>
 As I read this post Teresa, I shuttered remembering my experience only three
and a half years ago with my daughter.  She was breech - we tried turning her
but since she was my third and the first was an emergency c section (9 yrs
earlier) the doctors didn't want to try too hard.  I pleaded my case to no
avail, because having a vaginal birth 4 yrs earlier I knew how easier it was and
how much better my breastfeeding experience was with my second child born
naturally.  That said, my daughter was born by c section ( without the complications
of the first c ). I did nurse her in the recovery room (what a latch she had)
- well the next five days are still a blur. She was with me 24 hours a day.
For some reason the hosp would not let me sleep with her in my bed or with her
in the bassinet next to me.  When did I sleep ? NEVER!!  Even if they did try
to "relieve" me and take her to the nursery at night - they were literally
back in a half an hour or so with my daughter "screaming" her brains out - she
only wanted to be near me even at that young age.  I was beside myself - I even
remember having a discussion with a nurse about "just giving her one bottle at
night to help me sleep"  but SHE said "that is not a good idea your milk is
best for her !! " Ok so they were good about nursing but had not a clue about
how to help moms get it together.  Unfortunately, because of the c section my
stay was 5 days.  If I had the chance to go home earlier - I would have been
much better off those first few days.  I could see so many mothers giving up by
the second day.  How can it be "rooming in" if the mom cannot sleep with the
baby.   I understand the "rules" and them being afraid of the baby falling out
of bed.  But why not sleep with the baby in the bassinet?  Does this sound
right ?  I'm sure not all hospitals are like this.  Also, I asked to see an LC in
the hosp and they said - "It's a holiday weekend - she is not here" (
holiday? Presidents Day?). I thank God that she was my third and my second was nursed
for almost three years.  I know that my c-section with the first was
definitely the reason main reason I didn't have "success" nursing him.  Besides the
fact that the doctors stopped me from nursing because he was jaundice and I had
an infection requiring antibiotics .  Although, that was 12 years ago I still
feel bad that I didn't know enough to continue nursing and not listening to
the wrong advice.  I feel bad when mothers feel guilt about not continuing to
nurse because of the wrong advice they received.

Donna Kimick
Intern LC
Long Island, NY
WWW.Drjaygordon.com




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