I must preface this blog by explaining that..
fourteen years ago I became a mother/baby nurse, and ten years ago I became the resident childbirth educator and “breastfeeding counselor” on staff at a local hospital. We did not have an IBCLC on staff, so I was IT until we hired another educator. My training as a nurse, some time as a member of La Leche League and my own personal breastfeeding experience was all I had in my arsenal. Though I wasn’t “official,” I worked the position of a lactation consultant. And it wasn’t easy…so many moms…so little time…so many interventions. That being said, please read the following with the understanding that I have been ”on the other side,” doing my best as a nurse to help fresh babies latch…bending over beds as an educator positioning babies and sandwiching breasts for moms who were too sleepy on pain medication post-cesarean to do it themselves.
A week ago, I had the privilege of visiting a new family in the hospital to provide assistance with breastfeeding. She has given me permission to share my observations.
When I arrived, I had dad undress baby down to diaper and in skin to skin with mom. The baby was only 36 hours old and very sleepy after a long labor and difficult delivery. Mom, Dad and I chatted for a moment then got to the business of latch. The baby would not wake up.
- Read the rest at BABES
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