Speak Up

Two months ago, I couldn't imagine life with 3 kids.  Today, I can't imagine life without all 3 kids.  It's funny how the birth experience and hospital experience keeps replaying through my mind.  Is that normal?  I have no regrets about the birth, but I do have some regrets from the first few days of Rachel's life while in the hospital.

First, I had in my birth plan that I wished to delay the clamping of the cord until it stopped pulsating. Did she do that?  Well, I'm not really sure.  I don't remember.  Allen said that he reminded them at that point of my birth plan, but they were in a hurry to get her checked out.  Why?  Maybe they were afraid of meconium aspiration.  During this time they had handed her to me.  I was trying to get some skin-on-skin with Rachel and they stopped me from doing this as well and said "We need to check her out first".  Study after study after study after study has shown that skin-on-skin is the BEST thing possible for newborns.  In fact, I've read stories that skin-on-skin resuscitated a still born baby.  But back to my story, Rachel was cared for in room then taken before I nursed her (AHHHH!).

Second, as I was trying to get up for the first time to visit the bano, Allen came to the door and said "Hey, the nursery said that they need to give her a bottle of formula because her blood sugar is low." And then I said OK.  (AHHHH!).  After getting back to my bed, I started researching and guess what is BEST for low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).  Yep, skin-on-skin and colostrum (early breastmilk).  

That's enough regrets right?  Now on to complaints.

As soon as I got my baby back (why do they take them sooo much!?!), I nursed her.  Sorry, if you visited and I didn't let you hold her enough...I just wanted skin-on-skin.  Oh, and sorry if you came and visited and saw skin ;)  After reading many articles from La Leche League, I had decided to nurse her every 2-3 hours to keep up the sugar levels.  

This article was very useful.  Hypoglocemia and the Breastfed Newborn.  http://www.llli.org/nb/nbjulaug97p107.html 

 Just part of the article says:

" In some hospital settings, newborns are at risk for developing hypoglycemia even after an uneventful labor and delivery. Babies who are not fed soon after birth, are left uncovered in a nursery warmer, or are left in a nursery to cry, are under stress. As a result they use up their stores of glucose and are at risk for developing hypoglycemia. It is important to put the baby to the breast immediately after birth, make sure the baby is kept warm and dry (preferably in the mother's arms), and not allow long separations when the baby may be left to cry."

Apparently the nursery staff did not study the amazing world of breastfeeding.  (Do they teach about breast milk in nursing school?  Did you know that colostrum can actually KILL cancer cells?)  Rachel's nurse came to check on us every few hours.  She gave me permission to breastfeed (HA) as long as I "topped" her off with formula afterwards.  (AHHHH!)  I squeezed some of the formula out on a paper towel to make it look like some was gone.

Why do I have a problem with this?  Breast is best.  I nursed my other 2 kids for a year and I wanted to give Rachel the same opportunity. Human milk is best for human babies.  It does wonders for their immune and digestive systems.  It's also good for me...it produces ocytocin and creates bonding, as well as decreases my chances of breast cancer.  Breastfeeding also helps to shrink the uterus back down to normal size and decreases the chances of postpartum hemorrhage.  Would you like to see 101 Reasons to Breastfeed? http://www.notmilk.com/101.html  Nipple confusion...If Rachel were to get used to a synthetic nipple, she may have a hard time latching on to the real deal.  The AAP says "Human milk is the preferred feeding for all infants, including premature and sick newborns... It is recommended that breastfeeding continue for at least the first 12 months, and thereafter for as long as mutually desired."  Research the history of infant formula and you may be surprised.  It's a "formula". 

So what I'm trying to say is, I did not want Rachel on formula at 1 day old.

I nursed her very frequently and her blood sugar numbers were perfect within a 12 hour time frame!  However, we still met nurses who were uninformed or inconsistent about breastfeeding. One evening, a nurse came and "needed" to take the baby.  I told her that I was about to wake Rachel up to feed her.  She said "OH, you don't have to wake up a baby at night.  Just let her sleep.  How would you ever rest if you woke her up!?!".  (AHHHH!)  HELLO girl, my baby needs to keep her numbers up, so I'm trying to do that naturally with breastmilk!  I showed her the paper from the lactation consultant that said to feed every 3-4 hours even during the night hours. 

The next day I talked with Rachel's doctor, and he agreed with me.  Whew, no more formula in my face!

I guess what I learned from this whole experience is that patients in the hospital need to SPEAK UP. If you don't want something, say NO.  If you do want something, ask for it (or demand it).  If you don't understand something, ASK!

 For those who struggle with breastfeeding:  A certified lactation consultant can help sooo much!!  Just remember, a little is better than nothing.  If you breastfeed for 2 weeks, it's better than nothing :)  I am NOT judging you, I just know what I want 
personally.

Supply and Demand: Love this picture!

 Milk and cookies?

(This is the new oreo ad in South Korea!..haha)

Ever heard of milk sharing?

 Human Milk for Human Babies

 http://www.hm4hb.net/

BTW, this was written very quickly during naptime! Excuse the messiness!