I was armed with an arsenal of information on how to have a successful breastfeeding beginning as we prepared for the birth of our daughter.  I had read many of the best books, credible websites, and had extensive conversations with my health care providers, other nursing moms, and colleagues with lactation backgrounds.  I was ready.  Or so I thought.

Nothing can prepare you for what you encounter once you are in the care of the labor & delivery hospital staff.  Even the most savvy new parents can become intimidated or unsure when in this unfamiliar and often hectic environment.  So what should new parents do to remain steadfast in their breastfeeding goals, and flexible all at the same time?

Well first off, I would say don’t allow yourself to panic if you are met with resistance, conflicting information or bad advice from labor & delivery nurses or physicians.  Remember, they are there to provide you exemplary, safe healthcare, and support while you are under their care.  It is their job to meet your needs.  Most of these healthcare professionals are extremely helpful and reassuring, but some – not so much.

If you feel uncomfortable or unsure about something that is happening or being done to you, your new baby or your partner – SPEAK UP!  Sometimes these folks can be dismissive or inattentive.  And as a healthcare recipient it is your responsibility to be your own advocate to ensure you get the most of your birthing and post-delivery experience.  If you have to, designate your spouse or partner to speak on your behalf if you lack the energy or where with all to do so (you just gave birth, so it may be best to pass the torch to a family member who can speak to your voice).

“You need to supplement.”

The second day after the birth of our daughter, the doctors suggested that I supplement my breastfeeding to combat my daughter’s rapid weight-loss.  I was immediately concerned that they wanted me to resort to infant formula.  Determined not to jeopardize my breastfeeding success, I immediately contacted the lactation nurse and she assisted me in expressing my colostrum* with a hospital grade electric breast pump.

While nursing my daughter, my husband or mother used a skinny plastic pipette and a colostrum-filled syringe to dribble my liquid gold into the corner of her mouth while she simultaneously suckled at my breast.  This technique rectified the issue; at her next weigh-in her weight had rebounded, and she has never had a drop of infant formula in her life.

When the attending physician told me that we needed to supplement, I called my husband nearly in tears and told him to get prepared to purchase some organic infant formula because they wanted me to supplement my breastfeeding.  Now if the doctor had been more clear and reassuring, and suggested that I work with the lactation nurse, then I may not have panicked.  I just had the where with all to get support from the lactation staff before resorting to infant formula supplementation – some moms may not have been as discerning to really understand what was being proposed, and how to best approach a self-derived solution.  Many new moms may feel somewhat confused and dis-empowered in situations like this, no matter how informed and prepared they may be.

“Don’t Let Her Use You As a Pacifier.”

Now this one really ticked me off.  A nurse who appeared to have been in the field as long as I have been on this earth, dared to make this declaration to me after I expressed to her my concerns over the seemingly excessive amount of nursing my daughter was doing.  She suggested that I give her a pacifier in lieu of the breast.  Really????  So what did I do?  I mulled it over, trusted my instincts and kept nursing our daughter on demand.  When she wanted it, she got it.  And my choice was reaffirmed when I later spoke to the lactation nurse who reminded me that babies nurse when they are hungry.  Feed them and don’t question it.

At that very fragile point in our nursing relationship, the use of a pacifier could have derailed her latch and led to undue frustration and potential breastfeeding failure.  As well, I was reminded that mother nature prevails.  Our daughter was doing what was necessary to help my milk come in.  The more she nursed, the quicker my milk would come in to provide her with sustenance.  It all makes sense.

So the moral of the story is, trust your gut instinct and keep close family aware of your concerns so they can advocate on behalf of you and your new baby.  And be sure to communicate your breastfeeding and birth experience wishlist to your OB doctor, midwife and birth doula (if you have one).  Putting it all on paper in the form of a Birth Plan can be helpful as well.  This way your care provider has an official account of your requests in your medical chart.

In my next post I will cover how to effectively construct a Birth Plan, so stay tuned!

Stay Healthy & Wise!

*Colostrum is the first milk-fluid that is produced by the breast.  It comes in the last few months of pregnancy.  It is full of antibodies and immune boosting properties that protect your baby from the many viruses and bacteria in our world.  As well, it helps your baby to have their first bowel movement, called meconium.  Within a few days, it is replaced by breast milk.

This blog post originally appeared in Restore the Village.