I'm a 2nd year Midwifery student in Oregon and I can say that there is almost NO justification for postponing putting a baby to breast. You are indeed correct in stating that it helps the uterus clamp down thereby decreasing the likelihood of bleeding or hemorrhage. The only possible reason to postpone is concern over the health status of the mother or baby if some interventions are needed. For example, a baby that was having some difficulty breathing or came out floppy - even then, often the baby can be put to breast while the peds team observes the baby.
Concerns over drugs or alcohol that could be present in the mother and thereby passed on to the baby via the milk might be one other reason to postpone the BF. Otherwise, the only prerequisites are a willing mother and baby.
Regarding the pitocin immediately following birth, talk to your birth practitioner regarding their practice. Most practitioners are willing to take a middle of the road stance and say that they will give the pitocin only when medically indicated e.g. excessive bleeding. You are right however; it is a very common and often unnecessary precautionary practice. Putting the baby to breast is nature's way of preventing bleeding.
Suzanne Franklin, SNM
Portland, OR
>> [log in to unmask] 11/05/02 10:28 AM >>>
I assisted at a birth over the weekend in a local free standing birthing
center. Two questions -- one-- why would the midwife be insistant upon
giving a shot of Pitocin immediately upon delivery. She is one of four, and
she says that they all do this. As the baby presented, she said, "Okay, now
I will give you a shot of Pitocin so that you don't hemmorhage." In fact,
there was no excessive bleeding at all, nor any history of that. Baby came
out, placenta followed. My next question is that when I said, "Well, we will
just put the baby to breast to help assure that there is no excess bleeding."
Her response was, "No, I do not want the baby at breast now." It felt very
controlling and I had this sickening feeling that she was hoping for
hemmorhage to prove me wrong. Between the dad and I we got her to hold off
on any Pitocin and of course, none was needed. But, she did make us wait to
put this baby with open, searching mouth searching around on mom's chest, to
the breast!! I would like to address this issue with this center's staff
but would like some feedback first from anyone who has any pertinent info or
from L&D staffers. Is there ever a reason NOT to put a baby to breast?
Thanks, Ann Conlon-Smith, IBCLC, LLLL
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