Hi all:

I spoke to a mother tonight whose baby having a hypoplastic left heart is going home until ready for next surgery at the end of January. She gave me permission to post. The baby is 7 weeks old but 1 week when age-adjusted; born at 34 weeks and now 41 weeks. The baby had prenatal in utero surgery and more emergency surgery soon after birth. He has been mainly in a CCU and is going home on O2, all kinds of meds, and feeding via NG only. He kangaroos with mom, who BF two older children and is getting plenty of milk via pumping. Earlier he was getting oral feeds via bottle and nuzzled at the breast, but he apparently had an aspiration episode and did a backward turn. He also has GERD -- surprise, surprise since being put on some higher-cal formula too. Cardiac-wise, baby is apparently doing as well as could be expected.

This mom is going home with very little support physical or emotional support. She's apparently gotten no support for BF this baby in the short or long term from the cardiac peds in the big city children's hospital CCU. She feels a bit beaten down and intimidated. I didn't give her false hope but what right does anyone have to give her no hope at all about BF? Since when do these docs have a crystal ball? And why would they see mothers having any BF success if they constantly create a self-fulfilling prophecy that it won't work?

This mom would LOVE to "talk" online to others supportive of BF who have cared for a baby with a severe cardiac condition, especially mothers with such babies. As I recall, there are a few Lactnetters who may "fit" that profile. If so, pleeeeaaaase let me know via personal email if you are willing to correspond with this mother.

Many thanks.

Karen Gromada

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