NYC LC's Tamara Hawkins or Catherine Watson Genna

[MommyMad]

I'm looking to consult a NYC or Queens LC.

I have a 3 1/2 week old that was delivered via C-Section and then transferred to the NICU for a few days. Needless to say, I was unable to breastfeed within the first few hours or days. At 3 days of birth, the NICU started feeding my baby formula in order to determine if he could come home with us.

Once I got home I attempted to breastfeed. Apparently, I have small/flat nipples and a huge chest (34F/G) and baby won't latch. I've been feeding him my breastmilk via Breastflow bottles and I've been using a nipple shield when I nurse baby a couple of times a day (other times I pump). I haven't tried nursing him more often than that because even at that rate, I have sore and even once I had a bleeding one.

I'm looking for an LC that can help me get rid of the shield if that is possible and to examine my breasts. If getting rid of the shield is not an option, then I would like to learn how to make the nursing experience more pleasant. I really want this to work and for my baby to get breastmilk until he's a year old.

If you've had experience with either Tamara Hawkins (Stork and Cradle) or Catherine Watson Genna, please let me know. Also, if there are other names I should be researching as well, please let me know.

Thanks so much.

[SustainablParentng]

No personal experience but...

I was at the NY-East La Leche League Conference last weekend in Albany (Friday, Nov. 20) and Catherine Watson Genna was a featured speaker (she presented 4 of the 5 sessions for health care providers). She was extremely knowledgeable, personable and professional. Based on this, I personally would not hesitate in contacting her for help.

Have you contacted your local La Leche League for their recommendation? What recommendations have you been given at the hospital where your baby was born?

Hang in there! I can't imagine how hard things are for you right now but I am sure that with the right help and support you can do it!

[MommyMad]

Thanks so much for your input.

I should have mentioned that I did have a LLL leader come to my home for 2 hours. She was the one that determined that the breast shield was the way to get my baby on the breast, and it does work. She is very nice and I have thought of asking her to return for additional help. I guess, I was just wondering if a lactation consultant would offer more options or not.

There are days that I don't mind the shield until my baby turns a year old, but there are days/nights when I wish I could just have my little one on my breast whenever I or he chose to without needing the shield.

To add to the matter, I am dealing with a bad cold and it's just wearing me down.

Thanks for all your support.

[sacredma]

i had a client that also had a c section and was on the nipple shields. she wanted to get off of them. i saw her around day 8 or 9. she had sort of flat nipples as well. from my understanding, sometimes after a section, because of all the fluids that were given during the process, women can get edema of the breasts, which can make the nipples even more flat. a colleague of mine recommended to wait at least 2 weeks to try to feed the baby without the shields as that is about the time it takes for the fluid to get out of the body. this woman is happily nursing her baby at 1 month without the shields. so i would say, hang in there and use the shields for a while and know that your baby is breastfeeding and getting your milk! consulting with an LC is a good idea, as they can help you with positioning and optimal use of the shields. they will have some good ideas for you when you are ready to transition.

[MommyMad]

Thanks Sacredma.

I was pumped with a lot of IV's and antibiotics after the C-Section, so I'm hoping the nipples will at least look like they looked while I was preggers. If they do get like that again, I think I can get the baby to latch.

I am happy to be giving my baby breastmilk, but I get a bit nervous when I sometimes pump and it appears that it won't be enough to feed the LO. I am also very happy to get him to nurse 2 or 3x per day from me even if my nipples suffer a bit. I just wish I could do all of his feedings via nursing instead of having to look for the shield, rinsing & warming it so it adheres to your breast and then getting the baby to take it in a position that is less than optimal.

I trust it will get better. I just have to find the person that will help me through it.

[GoGoGirl]

Hi mama.

I had two sessions with Cathy Watson Genna when my DD was around your son's age. DD was tongue tied (which we didn't know until Cathy diagnosed it) and had been losing weight. I thought she was WONDERFUL. She's incredibly knowledgeable, and has such a gentle and calming bedside manner. She gave me a lot of useful information and a confidence boost--which I was in dire need of at that point!

I would highly recommend her! I really hope you figure things out. Breastfeeding was so hard and painful for us at the beginning. Cathy helped us work through our problems. Now DD is 8 months old, exclusively breastfed, and we have a beautiful breastfeeding relationship. I'll be thinking of you!!

(Oh, and depending on where you are in Queens, Cathy might actually be one of your LLL leaders! )

[MommyMad]

Thanks for your reply Gogogirl.

I'm so happy to hear that you used Catherine Watson Genna and that you have gone on to succesfully breastfeed your little girl. That is where I'd like to be with my little boy.

I've sent you a message with a few other questions regarding Catherine - I'm hoping you don't mind.

I really do need the help. As I type this today, I have another bruised nipple caused by this morning's nursing with the nipple shield. I'm hoping if I make an appointment that it won't be too far off before Catherine would be able to fit me in.

[superfastreader]

Any IBCLC will be able to help you. You can get contact info for board-certified IBCLCs on the ILCA website (ilca.org). Tamara Joy Hawkins is probably a good choice for you b/c she specializes in NICU & premature baby issues. But Cathy Genna is also fantastic, as is Leigh Anne O'Connor.

[BrooklynDoula]

Sorry this is so difficult. I highly recommend Lea Todaro. She has really helped two clients of mine recently who saw other IBCLCs first but found Lea's help invaluable.

718 450 2694 -- tell her Megan sent you

I believe she will do a home visit in Queens and her fee is reasonable.

[superfastreader]

Originally Posted by BrooklynDoula

Sorry this is so difficult. I highly recommend Lea Todaro. She has really helped two clients of mine recently who saw other IBCLCs first but found Lea's help invaluable.

718 450 2694 -- tell her Megan sent you

I believe she will do a home visit in Queens and her fee is reasonable.

Is she an IBCLC? I didn't see her name on the ILCA site (which is very difficult to navigate).

[MommyMad]

Originally Posted by BrooklynDoula

Sorry this is so difficult. I highly recommend Lea Todaro. She has really helped two clients of mine recently who saw other IBCLCs first but found Lea's help invaluable.

718 450 2694 -- tell her Megan sent you

I believe she will do a home visit in Queens and her fee is reasonable.

Thanks so much for your continued support Megan. I will give Lea a call more than likely tomorrow.

[BrooklynDoula]

superfastreader -- Lea is an IBCLC, the site is not that current I believe. There are many, many IBCLCs not listed there.

MommyMad -- my pleasure. I hope it works for you. I heard pieces of your story and have kept you in my thoughts.

[superfastreader]

Yes, it's very hard to navigate! Does she have her own website?