Programs like the one at this San Diego NICU, which encourages mothers of premature babies to provide breastmilk rather than formula to their babies, give me hope that we can make positive changes. (Now if only we hadn't started mass formula feeding in the first place...but we can't go back and change that.) Thanks to Mama Knows Breast for the link.
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My little one was premature and was taken quickly to the NICU while I was recovering. My husband went with him. He asked about donated breastmilk and they happily agreed to use the donated milk (instead of formula) until my supply came in.
ReplyDeleteThe NICU was INCREDIBLY supportive of my breastfeeding efforts. They were far better than the LCs I had in L&D. These women were so amazing to me during those early days to encourage me and help me pump (as we had to feed my son through a feeding tube for some time). I was successful at breastfeeding because of them.
My friends twins were born at 35 weeks, and her hospital in San Antonio really encouraged her to pump milk for the babies until they were released from the hospital. I've really noticed an increased support of breastfeeding throughout the medical community since my first child was born 5 years ago. It's a wonderful shift:)
ReplyDeleteRixa, I just finished reading your thesis during 6 days of bedrest. It was amazing. I still do not know if UC is the route for me for my first birth, but you have inspired great dialogue between me and dozens of fellow doulas, friends and mothers everywhere. I wanted to say thank you for sharing what you did so honestly, with fairness and great writing. Hearing from the hearts of others is just awesome. I have passed your blog along to many and I know it's had a very encouraging and positive impact. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteAlso, loved this blog on breastfeeding and... well, all of your posts.
Rachel--thanks for making the effort to read it. It's definitely not light reading!
ReplyDeleteOur neonatalogist told us that breast milk is like liquid gold for preemies. The whole NICU was incredibly pro-breastfeeding, even when the baby was getting the milk through a feeding tube.
ReplyDeleteI had a 33 weeker 21 months ago. They encourage me to breastfeed in the NICU and it was what I wanted and had done for my first baby. It was a lot of work to pump and then to get her strong enough and keep her awake enough to breastfeed and she did stay in the NICU longer then if she had been on formula or if I had pumped and fed her from a bottle once she was strong enough to suck for all of her feedings. I REALLY wanted her to get breastmilk and be nursed if at all possible. It was worth the extra time and support being in the NICU several days longer for her to be breastfed. We made it to 15 months when I found out I was pregnant again. She weaned herself and I needed the strength for my pregnancy since I have had multiple early losses and difficult, complicated pregnancies that have required blood thinners among other things to keep them going.
ReplyDeleteI think it is great that more hospitals are encouraging breastfeeding of preemies because it is so worth all the work!
It's great to hear stories about encouraged breastfeeding in NCIUs and access to donor milk. I just wanted to add - if you're reading this and you have a healthy, full-term baby and ample milk supply, consider being a donor! I was a donor for 6 months and it was one of the best experiences of my life (next to nursing my own little one). You can help protect a fragile new life & support parents with ill or preterm babies!
ReplyDeleteI agree about donating milk. I hope to do that again once I get settled in with my newborn and into more of a routine.
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