Interesting, what you write, Cheryl, and I agree with your analysis, difficult and frustrating as it is.
I have worked in both the public and private sector and often pondered the differences in breastfeeding between the two. In one, they were an accredited 'baby friendly' hospital and attempted to practice as such. I have NEVER seen such engorgement, extreme fatigue, desperation and tattered nipples as I did here. And this, in a unit that had probably 10 LC's and one full time LC. In contrast, the other unit that has a far more relaxed attitude to feeding and practiced all the aforementioned practices that in theory we dont endorse, has minimal nipple trauma, fatigue and no horrendous engorgement, either vascular or milk. I admit to being thoroughly confused. What my eyes see, is not what my heart tells me. Robin. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Cheryl LHK" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Saturday, December 08, 2001 7:20 PM Subject: re:formula without consent? > > > I work night-duty and see another side of this. By the time I get to work > the new Mum's who have had a rotten day are having an even worse night. > They have been told by midwives all day to put the baby to the breast, they > are exhausted, have nipple trauma etc. ... the midwives are so busy, they > have no time to do as much education and assistance as they would like too. > Unfair to the Mum's - Yes, but thats life on hospital wards, especially when > we have a mix of ages 0 - 90 on any given day. > > by the time I get to work, (and it's happened enough), they are in tears, > desperate for assistance and want me to give this baby formula. One thing > that I find works for me is that I ask them if they are happy to stay awake > for another half an hour, I make sure that the baby is attached and sucking > well (regardless of if the baby fed an hour ago), then I make sure Mum has > drink/Panadol/hot pack etc, and get her into bed, settle baby and make sure > that she gets 3 solid hours of sleep. > > Now, I know there will be many that criticise and say that the baby should > room in all the time and that mothers just have to get used to being tired, > but I think that we as midwives defeat our own purpose at times by being a > bit heartless. Many of the mother's request that the baby stays with them > the rest of the night once they have had the break and the 'formula > discussion' seems to be forgotten. It doesn't happen every night to every > Mum, but sometimes a litte bit of practical help (not just the education) > can make the difference between a Mum throwing her hands in the air and "I > Quit" to a women who knows that she will need a bit of help but can continue > to breast-feed. > > Of course what I said above can be done if we are having a reasonable night, > but if it's busy, it just compounds the problems of the day, and the next > night she often will have suppressed. Frustrating at times. > > > > > >From: "Grant and Louise" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >To: "Ozmidwifery" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >Subject: re:formula without consent? > >Date: Sat, 8 Dec 2001 10:44:20 +1100 > > > >Oh I see this happen regularly, consent is given - but not INFORMED > >consent. > >" Your baby NEEDS a bottle/comp/some food because s/he's > >hungry/dry/jaundiced/big/little/sleepy/crying/prem/overdue/urates in the > >nappy (or you've laboured/had a caesar/had diabetes/were overdue/had lots > >of > >visitors) " No discussion of alternatives or possible outcomes of the > >"little bottle". > >In the mothers eyes it's okay because WE ( who are classed as the medical) > >say so. > >Louise > >The cure for all things is salt water - > >Sweat, tears, or the sea. > >[EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > >-- > >This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. > >Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe. > > > _________________________________________________________________ > Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp > > -- > This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. > Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
