Baby Friendly hospital - trying again

[MarcyC]

Not sure why my first post didn't show up, but here goes...

I was out in California Friday-Wednesday. My grandfather had a heart attack and wasn't expected to live (he's home now and defying all medical odds and amazing his doctors and us!).

The hospital where he was had a big banner outside claiming they are a "baby friendly hospital." Inside, behind the main desk, there is a picture of a mother breastfeeding and another sign claiming they are a baby friendly hospital and what that means (paraphrase: dedicated to successful breastfeeding).

The first day we were there (Grandpa was in cardiac critical care unit), I left the baby with SIL and didn't take him to the hospital. The nurses were very helpful in finding a nice place to pump, providing me with refrigerator space and labels.

The next day, when Grandpa got moved to a regular room, we took the little guy, but Grandpa was sharing a room with someone and the quarters were cramped so I took him to the waiting room to nurse. Well, a maintenance guy saw me nursing and offered to unlock the doctors conference room (adjacent the waiting room) so I could have some peace and quiet and plus he said the A/C worked better in there.

So, even though I wasn't directly dealing with L&D or PP people, everyone there seemed dedicated to keeping the hospital baby-friendly!

BTW, it was UCSD-Hillcrest in San Diego.

[St. Margaret]

Ah, Hillcrest is GREAT-- they have a real birthing center with midwives and doulas... that's an awesome experience! I hope your grandpa is doing well now, too.

[MeepyCat]

That's great! It's wonderful not only that they're dedicated to helping their L&D patients breastfeed, but that they are so understanding about the needs of patient's families in other departments.

[MamaHen2J&J]

How nice, thanks for sharing!

[merry-mary]

Fantastic. I believe the term "baby friendly" is an actual term of art - hospitals have to have certain initiatives and must follow certain procedures in order to classify themselves as "baby friendly" or "breastfeeding friendly."

I'm so glad that hospital is walking the walk in addition to talking the talk. That's awesome.

[mama24-7]

That's so great to hear! And, even better that your grandpa is doing well.

Funny - dh's uncle works out in CA at a university. He supported his wife in bf'ing but not much else 'til his ds was a year. Then she was to wean him. I was all excited hoping he worked at this hospital so I could email him about how wonderful it was that he worked at a Baby Friendly Hospital. Maybe I'll play dumb & do it anyway.

Sus

[GooeyRN]

I am glad your gf is doing better. That is AWESOME that the janitor offered you a room that is more comfortable/more private. I wish hospitals were like that around here. The hospitals here would say to get the baby off of the medical floor stat.

I was wondering how you were doing, I haven't seen you online in awhile. Are you still EPing for your little one? How old are they now? I am EPing again for my 29 month old.

[MarcyC]

Hi! Yes...I am MOSTLY EP'ing. I'd say 90+% EP'ing. I do still put him to the breast before and after every feeding and sometimes he'll nurse directly at night. My supply took a huge dip with this little trip because of all the stress involved (I'm really close to my grandpa and it was hard seeing him so sick). Yesterday my all-day total was one ounce. But my philosophy is that is one less ounce of formula he'll be getting. Hopefully now that I'm home and little more relaxed, my supply will rebound.

[GooeyRN]

Congrats to you for sticking with it! I imagine he is getting a little from you as well.

[nyxx]

Originally Posted by merry-mary

I believe the term "baby friendly" is an actual term of art - hospitals have to have certain initiatives and must follow certain procedures in order to classify themselves as "baby friendly" or "breastfeeding friendly."

http://www.babyfriendlyusa.org/
http://www.who.int/nutrition/topics/bfhi/en/index.html