Wanted to share a great experience

March 3, 2012

I want to share a wonderful experience I had at a local hospital this week. A

good friend was scheduled for a repeat c-section (unless she went into labor

before then she would try for a VBAC and I would have been her doula) and she

really wanted me to be able to help with breastfeeding. I had planned to be

there to help when I was " allowed " but really wanted to be able to help with the

first breastfeeding. I emailed one of the IBCLCs at the hospital asking what

the likelihood of me being allowed into recovery to help with first

breastfeeding. She responded that she talked to the Charge Nurse and it was all

good. The Charge Nurse had called my friend to verify that was what she wanted.

We arrived in the morning and the Surgical Nurse introduced herself to me and

said she understood that I would be helping in recovery. When baby was brought

out of nursery to go into recovery I went with her and kind of jumped in on the

nursery nurse but I think she was relieved. The nurse had started to try

getting mom on her side for feeding, but I kept her on her back (why not,

right?) I unswaddled baby and put her on mom's chest and helped guide baby a

bit and she latched right away! Baby nursed very actively on both breasts for

about 35 minutes and cried when they took her off to move mom to her room and

give baby bath. I was truly enjoying myself and I guess it showed, several

nurses commented on how much fun I was having! Mom was just amazed that baby

knew what to do and she completely and totally fell in love with her baby. I

was able to help with the second feeding as well which went just as smoothly!

This was mom's second baby. With her first, baby was admitted directly to the

NICU with breathing problems so she didn't get to have that first breastfeeding

right after birth and didn't get to snuggle with her baby right away.

I was thankful with how smoothly the experience of being allowed to help at the

hospital went. It was also a great experience to be able to work with such a

new baby since being in private practice the earliest we usually see them is 3-4

days and typically about 2 weeks. It is also wonderful to see " normal "

breastfeeding since we usually see moms and babies with issues. I am looking

forward to being able to follow them in the coming months as a reminder of what

normal breastfeeding looks like and to be able to help her through any hurdles

they come across.

This is why we do what we do!

Amy Grant

Natural Beginnings Lactation Services

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