I took care of a little baby this weekend. Term baby, C section came to the NICU with breathing problems (that's another thread for another time). The baby was under and oxy-hood for about 36 hours and was off. Other than that the baby was fine really.
Mom REALLY wanted to BF. She made this very clear. She was worried that the baby being in NICU would be a problem. She was worried that the baby was going to get a bottle and it would mess everything up. She was willing to come up every feeding time, pump ect. I did my best to reassure her that as long as I was taking care of the baby I would do my best to make sure her wishes were honored. I also stressed this to the other nurses taking care of the baby and told the mother to keep insisting, don't be shy. State your wishes several times, then state them again. This baby deserved a fair chance at BFing (well all babies do).
Anyway the day came on my shift for the baby to start eating. Doctor wrote an order to give the baby 15 ml of glucose water in a bottle then my BF ad lib. I asked one of the nurses why he does this. She said it is to make sure there is no aspiration risk and to make sure the baby can take a bottle. Dumb...but anyway.
I call the doctor and tell him that this mother really wants to BF and requests that we not use a bottle. This is a term baby with no problems, the baby is rooting all over the place. Mom is here and ready to BF. I don't see how the bottle is necessary at this moment. Can we just put the baby directly to the breast and skip the glucose water? If the baby is having real issues THEN consider supplementation. The other nurses couldn't believe I actually called him for "that".
He said "Yes of course that is fine, whatever you think is best" No confrontation, no big deal. He's an old school doctor. He's very smart and I respect him. He's not anti BFing, but I don't think he is as educated on it as he should be. He leaves stuff like that mostly up to the nurses. That's the way it's been done for years so it will keep on until someone says something. He used to be bad about writing order about supplementing BFing babies that had jaundice (old school). But the BFing council at the hospital go that changed. He no longer writes that as routine. I wish more nurses would question orders about unnecessary supplementation. He was not the least bit offended. It was no big deal at all.
The baby did great and went home on nothing but the breast. I think this mom will really stick to it. Not saying because of me, I think she would have BF regardless. I'm just more proud of myself for "standing up" to the doctor. Yes...I'm a dork.
Mom REALLY wanted to BF. She made this very clear. She was worried that the baby being in NICU would be a problem. She was worried that the baby was going to get a bottle and it would mess everything up. She was willing to come up every feeding time, pump ect. I did my best to reassure her that as long as I was taking care of the baby I would do my best to make sure her wishes were honored. I also stressed this to the other nurses taking care of the baby and told the mother to keep insisting, don't be shy. State your wishes several times, then state them again. This baby deserved a fair chance at BFing (well all babies do).
Anyway the day came on my shift for the baby to start eating. Doctor wrote an order to give the baby 15 ml of glucose water in a bottle then my BF ad lib. I asked one of the nurses why he does this. She said it is to make sure there is no aspiration risk and to make sure the baby can take a bottle. Dumb...but anyway.
I call the doctor and tell him that this mother really wants to BF and requests that we not use a bottle. This is a term baby with no problems, the baby is rooting all over the place. Mom is here and ready to BF. I don't see how the bottle is necessary at this moment. Can we just put the baby directly to the breast and skip the glucose water? If the baby is having real issues THEN consider supplementation. The other nurses couldn't believe I actually called him for "that".
He said "Yes of course that is fine, whatever you think is best" No confrontation, no big deal. He's an old school doctor. He's very smart and I respect him. He's not anti BFing, but I don't think he is as educated on it as he should be. He leaves stuff like that mostly up to the nurses. That's the way it's been done for years so it will keep on until someone says something. He used to be bad about writing order about supplementing BFing babies that had jaundice (old school). But the BFing council at the hospital go that changed. He no longer writes that as routine. I wish more nurses would question orders about unnecessary supplementation. He was not the least bit offended. It was no big deal at all.
The baby did great and went home on nothing but the breast. I think this mom will really stick to it. Not saying because of me, I think she would have BF regardless. I'm just more proud of myself for "standing up" to the doctor. Yes...I'm a dork.
: We both looked at each other horrified. And she's like, gosh, that's like gold. Yeah - I know lady. That's why I requested the LC.
