Just had to share this one!
Was caring for a young mum, having her first baby. Very severe lack of
confidence in her own self, and has had sore nipples from Day 1, despite
being supervised/assisted for almost every feed- frustrating for the staff
(and mother).

Whilst preparing her for discharge, we got to talking about her social
situation, supports etc. It came out that her very domineering Mother-in-Law
had actually bought a bottle of Methylated Spirits, took it over , and sat
and physically 'made' this young mum apply it to her nipples!!!!!!
Can't see why she needs to rest during the day- M-I-L had 4 kids and coped!!
The Midwives at the hospital don't know what they are talking about! (M-I-L
was a nurse for 18 months, 33  years ago!- Nurse, not Midwife!!) Silly us,
encouraging baby-led feeding, bedding-in etc!
Mum lives on a farm, an hour out of town, and guess who is her only contact,
living on the farm, also! She wants to stay with her own mother in town, and
our visiting midwives will be following her up, mother is very supportive,
but somewhat domineering, in the nicest possible way. ('You need to get
yourself home, young lady, you have a husband to care for- his father didn't
touch my babies until they were at least 6 months old- that's women's
work"!)

So quick call to Social Worker, and Mum has agreed to assertiveness training
workshops, etc. Will also be followed up regularly by our midwives, for
phone support.

When doing the discharge check, I found baby with a nice big tongue tie-
mentioned to mum it could have something to do with her unresolved sore
nipples- the look of instant relief (she said she thought she was stupid,
not getting b/f right, when everyone else could). Her mother came in, heard
it, went off to phone her GP (an older Dr) who suggested they bring baby in
early the next day for clipping! Apparently he does lots of them- handy to
know!

So there is my big shock for this week- learning that such people still do
exist, and praying that the young mum can weather it out!
Thanks for allowing me to vent!
Susan in lovely warm Queensland, Australia
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