Child taken from solely breastfeeding mother *UPDATE*

[StarJune]

Cross Posted in Lactivism

So sad for breastfeeding momma

I am so sad today. I am involved with a non-profit organization and a devastating thing happened to one of our clients. She had her child taken from her and was taken into custody. I can't give the details but it is for something that was done in a desperate situation. Almost any momma would have such a reaction. So her child is only a few months old and is solely breastfed. She has not seen him for a couple of days. I have never heard anyone cry so bitterly in my life. I was crying all morning too.

:

So what can I do to help her maintain her breastfeeding relationship? She is out now but is not allowed any access to her child. I have given her a pump so she can keep up her supply. And I have asked that the foster family use a proper nipple that won't cause confusion. We are trying to organize a way for the child to get her milk.

Is this a lost cause? How long does it take before the baby will not go back to the breast? What are her rights?

I am so sad for her. I know that it will all work out in the end because it was just her mama-bear protective instinct that caused her to react. But until then, what can I do?

[JustJamie]

Is there a way to get the baby in the care of another lactating woman so (s)he can nurse directly at the breast?

If not, is the foster mother willing to nurse at the breast using an SNS and pumped milk from the bio mother?

[BakerALM]

Just for a quick reply ...

she basically has to EPump with a good double electric pump, preferablly hospital grade until she gets the hang of it. Depending upon the age of the babe she should pump anywhere from 5-12 times a day for a min of 15min and watch her output so that she pumps about 5mins after any milk comes out but no longer that about 30-45 mins each time. : Also she should try to produce about 30oz/day so that she has a very well established supply for the babe to come back to. It will be hard to compete with a bottle if her supply is minimal.

Look on kellymom for more pumping tips

Hugs to th mama.

Look on Kellymom for pumping tips.

[BakerALM]

Originally Posted by JustJamie

Is there a way to get the baby in the care of another lactating woman so (s)he can nurse directly at the breast?

If not, is the foster mother willing to nurse at the breast using an SNS and pumped milk from the bio mother?

love those ideas!

[StarJune]

Well the day I posted was the first day I met her so I will have to discuss more of the practical details now that things are calmer. She was absolutely hysterical that day and in the midst of the tears between all of us, not much planning was done. Also we were just organizing an access visit for the next day with a worker when we got sudden news of a higher order in place that superseded their order.

(Sigh) Hopefully today we can get more accomplished.

BakerALM I will have to get a double pump and make sure that she is doing it more often. She did not have a pump for 3 days so she did what she could manually in the shower until I gave her one. I am so : that she was not given one while she was away since she did request a pump. Her breast were rock hard. I will check out the website today for more tips.

JustJamie I am not sure that she is willing to have someone do it just due to the emotions of having someone already caring for her child when she wants to be the one. But that was because we thought it might be short term and her having liberal access. Now that we know that it may take some time she may be more open.

Plus the worker who is young and inexperienced mentioned that the child is now "accustomed" to the bottle already...
She supports the child getting the milk but maintaining the breastfeeding relationship does not seem be a priority. The worker is VERY good and understanding, so support on this end is good but now she has to face the other issue which is more complex. And, we need permission for it to even happen.

I am just hoping that it all works out.

[StarJune]

Update

I am happy to report a wonderful update:

Momma was allowed to visit with her babe today. She wept for joy when she saw the baby. In fact, all of us cried tears of happiness. Her child knew her and enjoyed watching her and smiled while playing with her hair. She was soooo happy.

And the child took to the breast perfectly .

Everything still needs to be resolved but this is great news. You know I always knew that the mother-child bond was strong but today I saw it in action. What a blessing it was to witness it.

[BakerALM]

AMAZING!!! I love to hear positive stories.:

[hix]

Oh thats so wonderful! Thank you for updating!

[Breathless Wonder]

That's wonderful news!

I hope for mama and baby's sake, everything can be sorted out quickly.

[intorainbowz]

I am so glad that the visit went well.

I've done child welfare.... to go from May 4 to May 23 with no visit for a mom and an infant is AWFUL. What excuse did the worker give? By federal policy, baby has a right to see mom for at least one hour a week. I'd usually let newborns see their moms a couple times a week. The exception to this rule is if the court orders no visits. That would not make sense as the worker seems to not have a problem with the baby getting mom's milk which would rule out drugs in my book.

What is mom accused of doing? Could you fill in some holes? Thanks

[StarJune]

It was not CAS (our version of CPS). We were in the midst of arranging a visit schedule with them when someone who had been at court called and pointed out the conditions of release. Even then the worker said she would supercede it but when the person brought a copy of the order over, it was so specific that the worker had to abide by it. That was so devastating!

CAS knows that she is a good mother and they have been very supportive. Once the other stuff is dealt with, I feel positive that their file will be closed quickly.

For privacy reasons I do not want to give details. intorainbowz pm me.

[mom2tig99Nroo03]

i'm glad mom and baby were finally able to visit. hopefully they'll be reunited long-term very quickly.

i know our dss/ here is great at scrweing up bf relationships.

[StarJune]

Mama has been having regularly scheduled visits (except yesterday's was cancelled due to CAS staffing issues) and has been overjoyed when she sees babe.

I will update once the court date occurs.

[StarJune]

Cross posted in lactivism

No real new update... I just wanted to let you know what is going on. Mom has been seeing baby about 3-4 times each week for a couple hours. All is well and it is evident that he is being well cared for by the foster family. Mom is holding up well and sending lots of milk with each visit.

It's amazing because whenever she holds him in a cradle hold he immediately starts rooting for her breast. So her breastfeeding relationship has survived.

I will post more once there is more news.

~SJ

[arlecchina]

that is more wonderful news. send please.

[StarJune]

Final Update

The final update is posted here:

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=666728