Hi Kirsty (or was it Kristy?), Just a quick note after night duty! Yes, Pethidine can make babies sleepy for quite a long time. Apparently it CAN take 2 weeks or more for their livers to fully metabolise it and excrete it from their systems. In the meantime I would suggest lots of skin-to-skin contact with mum with her breast exposed to baby. (Maybe have a long relaxed bath with baby if that is possible?) She should certainly be hand expressing colostrum and giving it to baby via a teaspoon, cup or syringe - try to avoid bottle teats at this early age. Lots of reassurance that it WILL happen given time and patience. It is acceptable for healthy newborns to go up to 24 hours before they really suckle at the breast, although they should be given lots of opportunities in that time. Be watchful that no-one tries to force the little one at the breast because this can be a really unpleasant experience and make the baby dislike any attempts at b/f. I'm sure others will respond and give you more food for thought. Cheers, Joy
Joy Cocks RN (Div 1) RM CBE IBCLC BRIGHT Vic 3741 email:[EMAIL PROTECTED] -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
