In a message dated 98-01-19 09:21:06 EST, you write:
<< 1. How often do you see moms who can't get even a drop of
colostrum in the first day or so?
2. When this occurs, is it usually temporary or is it sometimes a
sign of some problem with milk supply?
3. What would you do if you had a baby who wasn't latching well
and you planned to spoon feed some hand expressed colostrum but
encountered this sort of situation?
>>
Alicia,
I see this a lot ! I tell mothers in my prenatal talk that their first milk
is concentrated and that they won't see it and they won't feel it, but it's
there. First of all, I experienced it myself..... never could express a drop
of milk, and yet after a few days leaked. I don't think it is a sign of a
problem.
Since, I work with the WIC Program, I see a lot of Hispanic women. Even if
they were raised in this country, the word is out amongst them that there is
not enough milk. They do not trust nature, their body or whatever. That's
why I bring up the subject right away. I tell them that the baby is born
juicy and does not even need to eat much at all the first 24 hours.
This I got from people who wrote about observing natural home births and
letting the baby lead..... outcomes were always good. If something was
wrong...... it showed up in muscle tone, breathing problems, color.
I show them the size of the baby's stomach....... walnut. I tell them that
the bowel movements will be once or twice a day until the "other milk"comes
in. I tell them that the way they can find out if the baby is getting enough
milk, is by the soiled diapers....... starting with Day 5 or 4 (depending on
whether it is first baby or not), she should see 2 or more bowel movements, of
a decent size, every 24 hours in the first month. If she gets 0 or 1, she
should call me. I tell her the baby will weigh birth weight or a little more
at the 2 week check-up to tell her she is on the right track. Some babies
take a 3rd week, I know, but most of them are really way past the birth weight
and that gives the mom such a boost.
The baby that may need to be spoon fed or dropper fed colostrum..... is that
baby still healthy and less than 24 hours old..... wait. If he needs a jump
start, offer a little glucose water on that spoon or in that medicine cup if
no EBM is available. Most (but not all) babies I have worked with cupfeed
beautifully.
Please, let me know of I am off here on any of these notions I have. Your
observations and insights much appreciated.
Opal Horvat, BA, IBCLC
Bergenfield, NJ USA
YHMP (you have my permission .... to copy / share)
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