Hospital support? Or mixed message?

[devoted2kids]

I'll let the following questions speak for themselves without preliminary comment.

1. At what point did you choose to breastfeed?

2. Was the hospital staff helpful and supportive of your decision to breastfeed?

3. Did you receive, or were you offered, free formula when you left the hospital with your newborn infant?

4. What city or state do you live in? (This might help prepare women in certain areas as to what to expect during their hospital stay)

Now when you think back, did you receive full support of your decision to breastfeed, or did you receive a mixed message?

Thank you for sharing your experiences. Please take a moment as you read the replies and think what it must be like being a young first time mother with little family support. Is it any wonder breastfeeding rates among low income women are so low?

[timneh_mom]

1. I knew I would breastfeed before I ever got pregnant.

2. The hospital staff was supportive, but not helpful. The only people who were really helpful were the LC's. The nurses had no clue how to help at all.

3. No formula from the hospital.

4. Had the baby in Saginaw, Michigan at Covenant Healthcare.

I had support but the nurses could not help me for squat with a problem I was having. The LC came in and fixed it in about 30 seconds. No mixed messages though, I don't think, just undereducated nurses.

Now L/D... don't get me started on them. Some were saints, others were horrible! It's too bad really. The hosp got a big long letter from me.

[paquerette]

1. Years before getting pregnant.

2. Most of them were supportive, a few had good advice, others had bad suggestions (here, put a few drops of formula on your nipple to get your baby interested in nursing. Oh, she's 12 hours old and won't latch onto one side without fussing? We'll have to give her a bottle in a few hours if she doesn't : )

3. We were given the bag with the free can but left it there.

4. Scranton, Pennsylvania.

A mixed message, I would say. They did view breastfeeding as great and ideal, but didn't seem to think that everyone could do it... I dunno, like going to grad school or using solar power or something.

[Lynski]

1. There was never any question for me that I would do anything but breastfeed.

2. They were terrible! The LC told me I probably wouldn't be able to breastfeed because I didn't go up a cup size while pg. They were concerned because I have limited use in one arm that it wouldn't be possible to hold him correctly (huh!?) They gave him formula several times without asking me first because "his blood sugar was low" while I showered or whatever. They sent us home with rtf bottles because he lost weight after his birth (like ALL babies do!)

3. Aside from the rtf bottles the nurse gave us, we got the free formula diaper bag w/ can of powder and coupons. We gave them all away to moms I knew who FF.

4. Swedish Hospital in Denver Colorado.

The message I got was not mixed at all, it was loud and clear. "You aren't going to succeed, so give up now."

[turtlewomyn]

1. I don't remember exactly, but it was before I got pregnant, and probably quite a while before. Probably as soon as I gave any consideration to what I would do.

2. Some of the staff were helpful, others were not. I got to see the worst LC of the three that were there (I have since received help from the other two and I like them). She just ooo'd and aw'd at my sore nipples and told me to pump (I am not sure why). Some of the nurses were great, others were not.

3. I was given formula and told to supplement when I left. DD had not had a wet diaper (that I knew of) for quite sometime. I suspect though that the nurse on duty had changed a wet diaper and forgot to tell me, she was quite a ditz. As soon as we got home there were wet diapers everywhere.

4. I am in West Palm Beach, FL

I would say I got mixed messages.

[earthmama369]

1. At what point did you choose to breastfeed?

I didn't really think about it until friends starting having babies and talking about their decisions -- I went through pregnancy thinking I'd try to breastfeed. Then I started and I got downright determined to breastfeed. Now I'm pregnant again and we're still nursing, and will be tandem nursing when this little guy comes along.

2. Was the hospital staff helpful and supportive of your decision to breastfeed?

Very much so. Our stay in the hospital after birth was a little confusing as different nurses would come in with different advice and holds -- I just don't process information well that way. But they also offered a free weekly breastfeeding support group at the hospital that we went to often, and had LCs available for in-person or phone consultation 24-7. Those were both great options to have and they worked out well.

3. Did you receive, or were you offered, free formula when you left the hospital with your newborn infant?

No. I didn't even see any flyers or advertising for formula in the gift bag the hospital handed out.

4. What city or state do you live in? (This might help prepare women in certain areas as to what to expect during their hospital stay)

Middletown, CT -- Middlesex Memorial Hospital

Seeing as even when we were having latch issues and Qualia had some jaundice, no one ever suggested supplementing with formula or keeping some on hand as backup, I'd say we got full support.

[jeanine123]

1. During my pregnancy

2. Sort of. The NICU would have let me pump there if I had wanted. The LC wasn't all that great, I think it was primarily because she was too overworked. The hospital let me use the pump for my entire stay, including after discharge when I was just "renting" a room for 4 days. Not a whole lot of help trying to latch though.

3. Yep, in the bfing success bag :P Sat in the cupboard unused until I donated it though, too doggone stubborn to use it.

4. Gave birth at Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura CA

I received full support only because I went out and found it before birth. The hospital wasn't that great of a source. Luckily there was a nursing supply shop just down the block that I could walk to when son was in the NICU and talk to the IBCLC who owned it. I also took son there after discharge to make sure we were doing things right and she was great at alleviating my worries and concerns and feelings of inadequacy with using the nipple shield, on a Sat afternoon no less! I also started attending LLL meetings before son's birth so I was comfortable with the leaders there as well. And when we move when son was 3 months old the first thing I did was hook up with LLL in my new town. Didn't connect quite as well this time around thohugh. But I met 2 ladies who were wonderful and who hooked me up with a great new mom's group in town run by a hilarious IBCLC. I've been very fortunate and lucky to have found the people I did when I did. I also connected with some really great people online too.

[mirlee]

Originally Posted by devoted2kids

I'll let the following questions speak for themselves without preliminary comment.

1. At what point did you choose to breastfeed?

When I found out I was expecting

2. Was the hospital staff helpful and supportive of your decision to breastfeed?

Sort of. The LC came to visit, but was pushy and kept trying to intervene when everything was going fine. She had a slight attitude, but was supportive. The one good bit of advice came from a nurse who had been there about 15 years. She had some nice suggestions.

3. Did you receive, or were you offered, free formula when you left the hospital with your newborn infant?

Yes, it was offerred. You had to be careful if they came to give give you a break by having the baby at the nurses station! I specfically said I did not him to have any formula. I only let him go because I thought maybe I could just get a little shut eye. I had a C/S and I was dog tired. He wasn't out there 10 minutes when I heard him crying. I wandered out. He was crying and they were trying to stuff a bottle of formula in his mouth. I was furious and told them he was never leaving my sight. After that, we got comfy on a chair, latched, and we both fell asleep together.

4. What city or state do you live in? (This might help prepare women in certain areas as to what to expect during their hospital stay)

Pittsburgh PA

Now when you think back, did you receive full support of your decision to breastfeed, or did you receive a mixed message?

The best support came from my husband and my family. The woman who ran the prenatal class encouraged everyone and was excited when moms said they were going to b'feed. The hospital itself was not very helpful. I have to add that this hospital no longer has a maternity ward. It closed within the last two years.

[MarcyC]

I'm answering for 2 babies since I'm currently bf'ing my 2nd daughter. My older daughter is almost 6, but I had her at a different hospital. (I FF my son, by choice.)

1. At what point did you choose to breastfeed?

After Formula-Feeding one baby, I knew I'd breastfeed any future babies. Formula-feeding is such a hassle!

2. Was the hospital staff helpful and supportive of your decision to breastfeed?

Supportive-yes; helpful - I don't think so. I was exhausted after my first daughter and the nurse offered to take her to the nursery and said that quote "a baby this new cannot get nipple confusion." Found out that was wrong. With my second daughter, the nurses seemed much more knowledgeable about BF'ing. I don't know if it was because it was a different hospital or because 5 years had gone by and maybe they were just more educated. The LC's at both hospitals were great, though.

3. Did you receive, or were you offered, free formula when you left the hospital with your newborn infant?

With my first daughter, I had formula coming out of the woodwork - from the hospital, from my ob/gyn, from the pediatrician. This time around I just got one very very small can from the hospital in the formula-company diaper bag.

4. What city or state do you live in? (This might help prepare women in certain areas as to what to expect during their hospital stay)

Raleigh, NC - I've had two children at Rex and one at WakeMed (big Wake). I'd recommend Rex Hospital by FAR over WakeMed.

Now when you think back, did you receive full support of your decision to breastfeed, or did you receive a mixed message?

I think with my first daughter (2nd child), I got mixed messages. With my 2nd daughter (3rd child), I got tons of support!

[mirlee]

Originally Posted by devoted2kids

I'll let the following questions speak for themselves without preliminary comment.

1. At what point did you choose to breastfeed?

When I found out I was expecting

2. Was the hospital staff helpful and supportive of your decision to breastfeed?

Sort of. The LC came to visit, but was pushy and kept trying to intervene when everything was going fine. She had a slight attitude, but was supportive. The one good bit of advice came from a nurse who had been there about 15 years. She had some nice suggestions.

3. Did you receive, or were you offered, free formula when you left the hospital with your newborn infant?

Yes, it was offerred. You had to be careful if they came to give give you a break by having the baby at the nurses station! I specfically said I did not him to have any formula. I only let him go because I thought maybe I could just get a little shut eye. I had a C/S and I was dog tired. He wasn't out there 10 minutes when I heard him crying. I wandered out. He was crying and they were trying to stuff a bottle of formula in his mouth. I was furious and told them he was never leaving my sight. After that, we got comfy on a chair, latched, and we both fell asleep together.

[QUOTE]4. What city or state do you live in? (This might help prepare women in certain areas as to what to expect during their hospital stay) [/QUOTEe]

Pittsburgh PA

Now when you think back, did you receive full support of your decision to breastfeed, or did you receive a mixed message?

The best support came from my husband, my family, and my friends. My husband was incredible. One of my friends was an amazing AP parent and I grateful for knowing her. She really helped a ton. A friend who never breast fed was immensely supportive and even had some good suggestions. The woman who ran the prenatal class encouraged everyone and was excited when moms said they were going to b'feed. The hospital itself was not very helpful. I have to add that this hospital no longer has a maternity ward. It closed within the last two years.

[alegna]

1. Always planned to.

2. Hospital? Ew.... I'd never birth there homebirth.

3. No formula. None in the mail. Nada.

4. Houston, TX

[turtlemama77]

1. At what point did you choose to breastfeed? during my pregnancy

2. Was the hospital staff helpful and supportive of your decision to breastfeed? Yes, they were supportive (encouraged rooming in, visits from LC, home visit offered).

3. Did you receive, or were you offered, free formula when you left the hospital with your newborn infant? We got formula from the clinic, and from the hospital in the form of the free diaper bag. I gave it away to a woman I knew who was already formula feeding.

4. What city or state do you live in? St. Paul, MN (St. John's Hospital)

Now when you think back, did you receive full support of your decision to breastfeed, or did you receive a mixed message? I feel I had full support, but mostly I attribute that to being informed myself about breastfeeding and also for setting up support outside the hospital. I started going to LLL meetings when I was about seven months, and shortly after dd's birth set up an appointment with an LC and a home visit nurse (also an LC).

[gentlebirthmothr]

Originally Posted by mirlee

Yes, it was offerred. You had to be careful if they came to give give you a break by having the baby at the nurses station! I specfically said I did not him to have any formula. I only let him go because I thought maybe I could just get a little shut eye. I had a C/S and I was dog tired. He wasn't out there 10 minutes when I heard him crying. I wandered out. He was crying and they were trying to stuff a bottle of formula in his mouth. I was furious and told them he was never leaving my sight. After that, we got comfy on a chair, latched, and we both fell asleep together.I have to add that this hospital no longer has a maternity ward. It closed within the last two years.

mirlee,

I'm glad you heard your baby cried and went to the nursery immediatly and saw the nurses trying to put formula in your babys mouth. I'm that the hospital you gived birth doesn't have their maternity ward anymore.

Thank you.

[MelKnee]

My only hospital birth was with my first ds who was born at 24 wks., so not a typical birth.

1. At what point did you choose to breastfeed?
I always knew I would
2. Was the hospital staff helpful and supportive of your decision to breastfeed?
No! After my ds was born, I begged for a pump. I got one 6 hrs later. It was just handed to me, not assembled. I had no idea how to use it. Thankfully, my dh figured it out.
3. Did you receive, or were you offered, free formula when you left the hospital with your newborn infant?
Well, I didn't leave with my infant, but I was given tons of formula in the "gift" bags.
4. What city or state do you live in? (This might help prepare women in certain areas as to what to expect during their hospital stay)
The hospital I gave birth in no longer has an L&D unit.
Now when you think back, did you receive full support of your decision to breastfeed, or did you receive a mixed message?
I received the message loud and clear that it was a PITA to help a mother pump.

[KatWrangler]

1. At what point did you choose to breastfeed? During pregnancy

2. Was the hospital staff helpful and supportive of your decision to breastfeed? Mixed. We received alot of misinformation and lack of support to help me succeed. I delivered on Friday afternoon and they didn't send me a LC till Monday morning. And all she did was show me how to pump. They also claimed my son needed sugar water in the nursery right after he was born. I ended up with a c-section and only saw him for a minute after delivery and then didn't see him again for nearly 3 hours. Thats where we attempted our first BF.

3. Did you receive, or were you offered, free formula when you left the hospital with your newborn infant? Yes because they claimed he was jaundice and needed it in addition to me trying to BF and pump.

4. What city or state do you live in? (This might help prepare women in certain areas as to what to expect during their hospital stay) Sky Ridge Hospital, Lone Tree, CO.

Now when you think back, did you receive full support of your decision to breastfeed, or did you receive a mixed message? Mixed message. To be honest I thought the nursing staff/LC did a poor job of helping me.

NOTE - I am pregnant with baby#2 and will be going to Saddleback Memorial here in Southern California (Orange County). They say they want baby on the breast within an hour after birth. I have also been told they will do everything they can to help me succeed this time. If they can't they will help me find a LC they will be able to. I will find out soon, when I deliver.

[snowbunny]

1. At what point did you choose to breastfeed?
Before I got pregnant. It wasn't really a choice, I always knew I'd breastfeed.

2. Was the hospital staff helpful and supportive of your decision to breastfeed?
Very supportive. One of the first things I was asked was, "Bottle or Breast?" and when I said breast, they told me over and over again how good it is--everything from health benefits to non-stinky poo to no heinous stains on my cloth diapers.

Though I didn't have a visit from the LC, I did receive tons of info from the nurses including, if a remember correctly, lots of handouts.

3. Did you receive, or were you offered, free formula when you left the hospital with your newborn infant?
I was given the Similac Bag for BFing moms ... but I think the nurses were in the habit of removing the formula can that came with the bags, but I'm not sure. One nurse tried to give me a bag full of formula before I left, and another nurse reprimanded her and explained I was BFing.

4. What city or state do you live in? (This might help prepare women in certain areas as to what to expect during their hospital stay)
I delivered in Gunnison, CO.

Now when you think back, did you receive full support of your decision to breastfeed, or did you receive a mixed message?
I received full support.

[KatSG]

1. At what point did you choose to breastfeed?

Don't remember making a choice. It's what my mom did, dh's mom did, and everyone I know does. I honestly don't know anyone who FF. Not only that, but most of the women I know also work and we all pumped for various lengths of time, usually at least a year. I know I live in bizarro land compared to many parts of the country.

2. Was the hospital staff helpful and supportive of your decision to breastfeed?

Yes. They helped me latched her on right after the birth, before we were out of L&D. Anytime I felt I needed help I rang the bell and someone came to help. Every nurse had different suggestions, but I didn't think that was bad, in hindsight. Options are good. I was also automatically visited by the LC every day and was encouraged to make an LC appt for a few days after my discharge before I left the hospital, which I did.

ETA: The LCs also were available to me weeks later on their hotline and talked me through putting together my PIS to pump out a clogged duct. They really, really rocked.

3. Did you receive, or were you offered, free formula when you left the hospital with your newborn infant?

I think I got a plastic diaper bag f/ a formula company, but can't remember if it had formula in it. I know whatever formula I got in the mail, along with the bag, I donated to a women's shelter.

4. What city or state do you live in? (This might help prepare women in certain areas as to what to expect during their hospital stay)

Portland, OR, Emanual Hospital.

Now when you think back, did you receive full support of your decision to breastfeed, or did you receive a mixed message?

Lots of support. The hospital also offered a breastfeeding class as part of childbirth prep and it was excellent. Very focused on positioning, partners supporting with pillows and water, etc., and encouraging women to reach out of they need help, which is probably why I was so comfortable asking for help from the nurses.

Very interesting to hear that some of the worst experiences happened in hospitals where they don't have L&D anymore.

[Red Sonja]

1. At what point did you choose to breastfeed?

Before I got pregnant.

2. Was the hospital staff helpful and supportive of your decision to breastfeed?

They paid lip-service to breastfeeding (no pun intended ) but offered little real support. The nurse that was supposed to help us get started just stuffed my boob in DS' mouth. We had a rough start and I couldn't get him to latch. They threatened to give him glucose water and formula when they found out I was having problems, never offered assistance. I lied ("Suuuuuure, he's eating plenty), left and figured it out on my own. They also kept wanting to take DS out to the nurses' station (hospital didn't have a nursery) and were upset when I refused.

3. Did you receive, or were you offered, free formula when you left the hospital with your newborn infant?

Yep, 8 little bottles of ready-to-feed Enfamil, complete with the little nipples ready to screw on.

4. What city or state do you live in? (This might help prepare women in certain areas as to what to expect during their hospital stay)

Camden County, GA

Now when you think back, did you receive full support of your decision to breastfeed, or did you receive a mixed message?

Definitely a mixed message. Breastfeeding was good if it was easy and you were good at it (I had never seen a nursing baby before) otherwise just use the formula. Are you using the formula yet? USE THE FORMULA! :

[Peppamint]

Originally Posted by devoted2kids

1. At what point did you choose to breastfeed?

Early in my pregnancy. I'm a reader so I knew it was best, and my mom really encouraged me as well. Now dh is a lactivist too.

2. Was the hospital staff helpful and supportive of your decision to breastfeed?

Yes. They weren't too awful bad about rooming in either so I could feed on cue, but they did keep bugging me to take her for a hearing test and such.

3. Did you receive, or were you offered, free formula when you left the hospital with your newborn infant?

No, I wasn't! I believe they're trying for BFI certification so they wouldn't want to ruin their chances. And the baby bag I was given had no formula in it. It did have a pacifier though.

4. What city or state do you live in? (This might help prepare women in certain areas as to what to expect during their hospital stay)

Bloomington Hospital, Indiana

Now when you think back, did you receive full support of your decision to breastfeed, or did you receive a mixed message?

Full support... now if I'd only gotten that sort of support during labor instead of a drug-pushing nurse.

[Ruthla]

1) long before ever having kids of my own (I used to "nurse" my dolls when I was a preschooler.)

2) I only dealt with a hospital after my 3rd birth, and I guess the nurses were supportive but the ped was an idiot- he made a few discouraging comments to me about my milk supply. The NICU nurses were wonderful about letting me hang out on the floor all day to nurse him after I was discharged, and only feeding him ebm (not formula) at night. When he was 2 days old and I had only 1/2 oz of colostrum in a bottle, they used that for an entire feeding- I'd call that supportive! I never asked to see an LC while there because this was my 3rd BF baby and I knew what I was doing- I'm not sure what the hospital stay would have been like for a first-time mom who needed help. Most parents chose to send their babies to the nursury at night.

3) Yup, there was formula in the bag they sent us home with. I tried to check the bag before leaving but it was impossible to open without a scissor- they had a tag holding the zipper closed, so I wasn't able to remove the formula before leaving the hospital.

4) This was at NSUH at Plainview.