Feeding and Nutrition

Re: The Hospital Experience

toothy44 — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 11:26:41 GMT

I had twins that were preemie but just missed the NICU. My plan was to nurse. I was induced due to pre eclampsia. My experience was poor. I received little support and no information. My plan to nurse and then supplement as needed. Fortunately I was able to connect with a neighbor hospital lactation consultant who coached me and I nursed them both for 12 mos. 1 nurse can make all the difference so if you really want to nurse keep trying.

Re: The Hospital Experience

luvmyboys0810 — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 20:11:23 GMT

my youngest was in the NICU for 8 days and on day 4 I was encouraged to start breastfeeding and they were very supportive. (up to that time I pumped. he was only getting like 30mls anyways) the LC was there the first several times and they always supported me:D

Re: The Hospital Experience

Ttwins2 — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 15:31:49 GMT

Hello. My nephew was admitted to the NICU when because he hadn't had a bowl movement and my sister had a very difficult time becuase the staff constantly was trying to bottle feed him when she was extremely clear that she wanted to exclusively breastfeed. In fact, during the one hour she had to leave the NICO, she was allowed to stay only 23 hrs a day, they gave him a full bottle of formula. And right before she left she spoke with the head nurse reiterating that she did not want him to have a bottle. Needless to say she was not impressed with this action since it wasn't medically necessary and she was in the NICU waiting area. I would like to think this was an isolated incident, but when she spoke with the attending Dr he said they actually preferred all his charges to be bottle fed.

Re: The Hospital Experience

dk_alman — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 09:27:32 GMT

I am a nurse also, before I had my baby I prepared for breastfeeding by reading as much literature as possible. The hospital I had my baby in was also the hospital I worked in, and the nurses were not very knowledgeable about breastfeeding. It was suggested that I supplement with formula (due to jaundice) and the nurses encouraged me to let them feed him in the night so I could sleep. I was given samples of formula and told that when I felt like I needed a break from BF-ing I should just give him some formula. Thank goodness I had thoroughly prepared myself and educated myself, had I listened to their advice I could have set myself up for breastfeeding failure. Although I know their intentions were good, I never listened to them, never gave my baby formula, and have been BF-ing for months now with no problems (he did get 2 ounces at birth due to hypoglycemia, but not after that). We also had no lactation consultant, and had I not prepared myself as well I don't know how successful I would have been.

Re: The Hospital Experience

PediNurseJulie — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 22:01:30 GMT

Pittsburghneon - so glad you had a great experience! Getting on-going support from your pediatrician and lactation consultants is such a great thing. I hope it becomes the standard of practice for everyone. How old is your baby now?

Re: The Hospital Experience

pittsburghneon — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 17:52:47 GMT

My hospital experience was wonderful. The drs and nurses completely respected my wishes. I too am breast feeding our pediatrician really pushes moms to stick with it. and offers as much help as they can. before we left i saw a lactation consultant and nutrition consultant.

Re: The Hospital Experience

hroberts09 — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 05:34:38 GMT

GOOD FOR YOU THAT YOU WERE PERSISTANT AND DID NOT GIVE UP ON BREASTFEEDING. I THINK IT IS HORRIBLE THAT NO ONE ENCOURAGED IT AND IT EVEN SEEMS YOU WERE DISCOURAGED AT TIMES. I ALSO DID NOT RECEIVE ANY HELP AT THE HOSPITAL BUT I DID RECEIVE ALOT OF SUPPORT THROUGH MY WIC PROGRAM IN MY HOMETOWN. YOU DID THE RIGHT THING BY NOT GIVING UP AND DOING WHAT WAS HEALTHY FOR YOUR BABY.

Re: The Hospital Experience

millienono — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 06:25:24 GMT

my son was born at 26 weeks and was in the nicu for 5.5 months. I have to say there is a complete break between the hospital staff on feeding. our son had nec, gi probs and didn't tolerate feeds until 12 weeks after birth. Pumping for 3 months in that setting was horrible. It was a children's hospital and not a birthing hospital and the most unfriendly, discouraging place I have ever experienced. We had a great lactation consultant who was helpful with pumping, but when things got tough and it was getting to be too much, there was a lot of pressure to keep at it from her. On the other hand, the docs were almost anti bf, so I felt completely confused. I finally got so sick of every one telling me what I "should" be doing and I decided to bf 2 x a day and do neosure the rest.

I had a completely different experience with my first daughter at our birthing hospital. I wanted to bf, but my milk wasn't coming in and she was so hungry. The nurses offered to give her formula and help me keep trying to bf. It worked out great. I never felt any pressure either way.

Re: The Hospital Experience

caringangel88 — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 20:04:01 GMT

I had a hard time getting my son to latch on, and so the hospital set up a meeting with the lactation specialist who let me use a pump an take home the parts so I could use it manually. They even allowed me to supplement with formula.

Re: The Hospital Experience

AnswerDad01 — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 15:41:13 GMT

My wife and I generally felt supported by our nurses who were wonderful. The greater community is very judgmental when it comes to nursing. My wife breast fed all of our kids, but I think people's judgments come out more loudly about breast feeding when you are actually doing it. Some of the comments by nurses and other parents show a hostility to parents who do not nurse. I found it to be disturbing and in bad taste.

Re: The Hospital Experience

PediNurseJulie — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 03:43:43 GMT

Ditto to the last two comments. Good point!

Re: The Hospital Experience

Jess_BabyRN — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 07:27:25 GMT

I want to echo what MommyRN4 had to say. I think it's really important to let your needs known to your nurses!!! This is important in the hospital as well as at your babies pediatricians office. Even though nurses are trained to know what your needs are they may think all is going well for you and you don't need any help if you don't ask. As a nurse I always appreciate it when parents let me know how i can help them!! -Jessica

Re: The Hospital Experience

MommyRN4 — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 18:47:24 GMT

I had a good experience at the hospital and had several nurses help me with breastfeeding and overall baby care. When you deliver your baby, it is important to speak up and ask nurses to help you. Many moms do not voice their concerns, their fears, or their difficulties and therefore, don't get the help in the hospital they deserve. While some nurses are great at reading between the lines and offering their help, other nurses may be busy, overworked, or unsure if you really need help. Ask the hospital to see their lactation consultant if you are having trouble! Good luck!

Re: The Hospital Experience

smilingirl9984 — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 00:21:30 GMT

I feel like i had a pretty good experience all things considered. A lot of complications leading up to my c-section delivery, and due to the c-section and magnesium sulfate it definitely made for an ever harder start to nursing. But i found many of the nurses extremely helpful. I ask a lot of questions by nature, so it helped getting numerous tips from all sorts of people, some tips i attempted, others didn't work so much for me. I did see a lactation consultant who was very supportive and was able to offer many media forms to help assist me, as well as calling me once i went home. And once again going in a few weeks after my son was born for some follow up help as he wasn't gaining weight like he should. One thing i found extremely helpful from that visit was the BREAST-FRIEND feeding pillow, the first time i saw it i giggled, and thought that's weird, and was already sold on the boppy by numerous friends. (They had it available to use at the hospital, but i never used it, as i had had my mom bring my boppy from home). I am so grateful my mom purchased it for me after the consultation, it truly was one of the most helpful things in nursing my son! I think i would have given up had i not had that. Prior to leaving the hospital when my sons weight dropped more than 10% his pediatrician said i should supplement after nursing w/ formula. I was not too thrilled about that, but felt doctor new best. After going forward w/ the formula the last night i was there i did feel like some of the nurses were not at all helpful w/ it, and lost a lot of encouragement to continue breastfeeding -Not by all, but some, especially the night staff. As much as i tried to continue to breastfeed i do feel that introducing the formula set me back further in boosting my supply and catching up never really happened. So my son has continued to be supplemented and after introducing foods and as he's finally getting bigger i've decided to only nurse once a day and formula the rest.

Overall I would say all in all i was blessed to have a pretty wonderful staff.

Re: The Hospital Experience

PediNurseJulie — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 20:56:54 GMT

Wow - some NOT so good experiences. That is just sad to hear. I commend you both for sticking with your decision to feed as you saw fit and not give up. I LOVE Le Leche League - they are a fabulous resource and great to call for advice and encouragement.