Hello ~
I have been asked by my supervisor to give a brief talk to the nursing
staff on the importance of bonding and breastfeeding in that first hour of
life. ( Aren't I lucky to have a boss like this?! well...I *did* train
her ;-)
Our hospital has a policy that all healthy babies will be fed, at breast or
by bottle, in the first hour of life. That includes babies born by cesarean
section. We deliver in birthing rooms. We encourage rooming-in. We have 7
day a week IBCLC coverage.... So what is the problem??!!
In this high-tech era of monitors, inductions, and epidurals nurses are
overwhelmed with "tasks". Somehow, there doesn't seem to be time for the
beauty and magic of childbirth anymore. New nurses, as to be expected,
focus on the tasks that they have learn. But, then that sort of mindset
becomes routine and ingrained and passed along to the next "generation" of
nurses.. Even that first breastfeeding seems sometimes to be an obligation
to fulfill, with an eye on the clock, rather than a slow, joyous mother-
baby dance to behold. And please don't misunderstand--these are good,
caring nurses, almost all breastfeeding moms themselves.
What I want to do in my all too brief time allotment, is to give some facts
and figures about that first hour of life. I have references from Klaus,
Odent, Widstrom and Smillie on the importance of touch, smell, hormones,
etc. Luckily I can talk fast! What I am now searching for are pictures that
show that first wonderful, amazing, breathless moment when mom sees and
holds her baby for the first time; pictures of dads simply spellbound and
enchanted. That is what is rapidly becoming a thing of the past---not
always, certainly, but all too often as babies are whisked into warmers and
mom is left craning her neck to see...and nurses hurry, hurry, hurry to get
their job done...
I am planning on a powerpoint presentation and need photos that will really
provide an impact---of the very best kind. Does anyone have pictures to
share with me? Or know of a website where I can download a few? I am also
open to any ideas and references that might impress on the vital importance
of that first hour as THE time to forge a relationship too precious to
sacrifice to a checklist of tasks.
The head circumference measurement can wait ;-)
Thanks for all the phenomenal wisdom, wit, warmth and energy that you
Lactnetters bring me every day.
Kirsten, RN IBCLC in Wisconsin
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