I too was kept another night in hospital when my first wouldn’t latch — but I guess they needed the bed the next night, because I was discharged still feeding my baby ebm through a tube. After much stress and conflicting info from the nurses each shift change, I even asked “isn’t there an expert in this hospital?” (I had heard there was, but sadly hadn’t done my own research thoroughly enough) and it was not until I was on my way out the door a nurse gave me a card for an LC that worked with Dr. Newman. Not one nurse actually mentioned that Dr. Newman, at that time, HAD A CLINIC IN THE HOSPITAL! Instead I paid for a home visit from that LC (well worth it) or I never would have stuck with it.

IMHO, any medical professional that works with infants should also be an LC or at least have extensive training in lactation.

So, I am a hospital nurse who promotes breastfeeding. Sometimes we have crying exhausted parents who just want a moments rest and so…they ask for formula and we educate and inform and allow them to make a decision. They will end up deciding on formula, ‘just this one time..or maybe a second time’.

Sometimes we have jaundiced babies who are dropping ounces more than 10% of their body weight and so.. we give them formula top ups on top of their breastfeeding. We feel uncomfortable that babies drop weight but we know that when the milk comes in they will regain their weight.

There is no great conclusion and some nurses will work hard to try and educate and support and be present to help with breastfeeding BUT sometimes there are not enough BF advocates and instead of educating and supporting some HCP just want to see calories go into the baby and so they give formula no problem.

We don’t have a LC in our hospital and so sometimes we get babes that are difficult to latch and, since we might be short on time or have too many, babies will breastfeed and get a formula top up. Not my favorite practice but I see it on every single shift that I work. Of course the baby has an incredibly full stomach and sleeps for 2-3 hours and the parents are so very pleased that the formula ‘did the trick! hooray’.

Such a confusing situation for everyone. More education! For everyone! For new parents and for HCP too.

Keep up the supportive breastfeeding posts.

““So there are lots of things that can come up,” Russell points out. And if those issues arise, then it’s time to supplement with formula.”

No mention of actually advising women how to seek help with breastfeeding. I have to wonder how much Dr. Russell makes in kickbacks from Nestle, how many lunches with them she’s been on. She sounds like she’s on their payroll. Truly disgusting that a pediatrician can be “bought” in that way.

On the other hand, every time we’ve gotten the bag with all the formula marketing garbage. I’ve never used any of it.

There is no profit in breastfeeding — except healthier babies, more fulfilled moms etc etc. We happen to sell nursing clothes, but I tell anyone who’ll listen that you don’t actually need a single extra possession to nurse your baby. It breaks my heart that people spend nearly a thousand bucks on a stroller, but won’t shell out for a lactation consultant out of pocket.

I get despondent that “our” side doesn’t have the big bucks to promote breastfeeding. But guess what, no-one spends money on promoting real legs over prosthetics, either. We just know that real is better. The only weapon we have is to nurse our kiddie early and often, and in public (and yes, I think it’s better to be a wee bit discreet because we are fighting a battle here; no point in giving ammunition to the morons who equate nursing with a face full of boob!) — let your friends and family see your happy healthy baby and it wil be seen as normal (so funny that we have to work on a natural thing being seen as natural). Best part of this dreadful economy? More people will run the numbers and nurse just because it’s free. I hope.