Hi, all

Last weekend I posted about the mom I saw who had an 8 day old baby who
wouldn't latch on. Mom had flat nipples, baby receding chin and somewhat
high palate. Mom had been given enough Stadol before c-section to knock her
out for 4-5 hours after delivery.

I thought y'all might like an update.

I brought mom a Medela Classic pump on Saturday morning. She had been
pumping with a small nearly useless electric pump for nearly an hour when I
got there and had maybe 1/2 an ounce. She tried the Classic and in 10
minutes of double pumping had 6 ounces! She's been pumping and feeding the
baby by bottle for most feedings, except for the rare time that baby would
latchon, even poorly. She continued to offer the breast and would quit
before baby got too frustrated.

I talked to her every day to see how she was doing, and on Weds she went
back to the doctor to have the baby weighed. He had gained 10 ounces since
Friday and was back up to birth weight at not quite 2 weeks!

Last night I went to see her again to change the pump to a Lactina (the
Classic was borrowed and had to go back this morning). Baby was still
fighting the breast but mom was still trying and still pumping. Baby has had
only breast milk all week. I left wondering if she would ever get that baby
back to the breast. I talked to her about not using the bottles and using
other methods to feed but she didn't seem overly enthusiastic about that plan.

Today I got a call from her. I was afraid she was going to tell me the pump
wasn't working well or that she had just given up. WRONG! LAST NIGHT NATHAN
DECIDED IT WAS TIME TO NURSE! He latched on and nursed 30 minutes, both
sides last night. No biting, no head raring, no fussing! He's been nursing
ever since!!!!

I am SO thrilled for this mom. She had the kind of determination that she
had to have to overcome all that had been thrown at her.

Meanwhile, after seeing her on Friday, I sat down last weekend and wrote a
LONG report to the doctor and laid out what I observed with mom and baby,
what I'd done, and how I thought she got to the point that she was in. (This
was his first referral to me) I hand delivered it to the doctor and pointed
out that I would LOVE to come in and work with these moms in the hospital
BEFORE they had a chance to get to that point. He said he was planning on
meeting with 2 of the other 3 OB/FPs that evening and would share my letter
and my concerns.

Thursday night he called me to say he had talked with the hospital
administrator about seeing what it would take to get me official permission
to come in and see these moms. The administrator wanted to talk to me on Friday.

Friday I saw her along with the head nurse. The admin nursed at least one of
her children and was receptive to the value of having this kind of support
for the moms. She's checking with the legal dept to see what needs to be
done, and I'm supposed to get references to her on Monday.

I am so thrilled that this is finally happening. It's a beginning!

Thanks to all of you who offered support and suggestions to help the mom
that triggered all this.

Melissa Vickers, IBCLC
[log in to unmask]