- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
Eco-Friendly Family
Sassy_Cassie
member
The nurses think I'm crazy.
Sassy_Cassie
member
It has been confirmed.
Our nurse tonight and I are pretty like-minded and we got to talking and she confirmed that they all pretty much think I'm nuts. They even texted her about me putting breast milk on Sam's diaper rash to see if she knew about people doing that! haha! And they mention it in report... like, "She puts milk on his rash and it's clearing it up!" They probably also say, "Don't waste any of her milk or she'll leave you a nasty note!" (I did leave a note, but it wasn't nasty... I tried to make a joke out of it even though I was crying inside.)
She said one nurse even said, "Eeeew! That's just not what breasts are for!" (The same nurse who decided to tell me out of the blue that she thought that formula was just as good as BM and anyone who would even consider giving birth without pain meds is insane...)
Also, they randomly tell me why they did or didn't nurse and how long they did it for and why they had to stop. I don't mind talking about it but it's like they think I'm the breastfeeding police and they have to justify their decisions to me.
I guess It's just so weird to me that it's not more accepted, especially in a medical setting. I get that he's an "older" breastfed baby by their standards and that might weird some of them out. But anyway... I don't care if they think I'm nuts! Hopefully just by exposing some of them I'll change some minds.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: The nurses think I'm crazy.
That makes me sad that nurses are so poorly educated...
How is everything? I haven't been on lately so I missed recent updates about Sam in the hospital...
Well, FWIW (and it's probably not much...) we don't think you're crazy!
We came in on the 23rd for Sam's 1st stem cell transplant. He's doing really well and the NP says barring any infections she's confident he'll be home for Christmas. So we've got our fingers and toes crossed and we're saying our prayers that she's right!
I hate to say (type) any of this "out loud" because I've become a little superstitious about these things... But he's doing fantastic. They say that the second one will be harder on him, though... but since he's doing so well with this one maybe the second will only be like first-one-level -hard. KWIM?
That is awesome! I will keep you all in my prayers still though!!! I hope that the second one goes as smoothly! Oh that is seriously just amazing...
I can't believe they are talking like that behind your back. Or even that they're thinking like that.
I think it's great that they are seeing the positive effects of the BM, though. Maybe you'll change their thinking.
I'm always thinking of Sam and hope he is home for Christmas. He is a brave little guy.
You're not crazy, they are.
Loved Sam's graham cracker pic btw!
The fact that they talk about it doesn't really bother me. What bothers me is they just don't get why it's so important to me that the milk I pump for his tube feeds doesn't go to waste.
Are they young without any kids of their own? I know we learned all about the importance of BFing in nursing school, but I'll admit I didn't really "get it" til I had been there, done that...
Yes, some of them are young and I know that's the main reason behind it. (I say that like I'm so old..) And some of them just chose not to breastfeed... so they don't really get it either. But the one lady who went off on a tangent is older and has two kids of her own.. she's just crazy.
Haha - oh well, can't help crazy!
Just know you are doing an awesome thing for Sam and we are all proud of you. I can't even imagine how extremely beneficial breastmilk must be for him especially right now!
I agree!!
)
This is EXACTLY what I was thinking. If his immune system is down I think it's crucial for you to be giving him breast milk. I know I'd be all over breastfeeding if I knew my child's immune system was compromised. Sucks that the nurses aren't very supportive or seem very educated on the matter, and THEY are the ones who chose to work in medicine! Ridiculous.
I'm glad you don't listen to them and take what they say to heart.
Big E (6) & Little E (2.5)
Ditto PPs. No doubt he is rocking treatment right now in part because his mama is doing everything she can to make sure he is getting the best nutrition possible, perfectly designed for him.
Keep up the great work and know that those who criticize are either ignorant or jealous.
I'm surprised that they don't get how valuable it is. The NICU nurses definitely understood that and were always very positive about even 20 mLs...they even asked if it was ok to give her formula if they though she was nearly full rather than have to waste an ounce of BM by her only taking a couple swallows and then having to toss that 1/2 bottle.
But even though they know BM is suggested, the medical setting isn't super supportive of pumping at work/extended BF - there's a pedi on my local board who got a LOT of flack for pumping after she returned to work, most of her co-workers who BF on leave stopped when they returned to work.
Yeah, the nurse that I was talking to nursed her son until he was 14 months. She said that some people would make comments when she would pump but she just didn't let it bother her.
I just feel like I've done a perfectly good job feeding him for a year... and just because his treatment protocol includes IV nutrition and tube feeds that doesn't mean he needs it. In my opinion, if he exceeds everyone's expectations and has never stopped nursing it shouldn't be necessary. TPN causes liver damage. But when I bring up this point I just get brushed off like I'm making too big of a deal out of it.Go you!
I bet some of them will change their minds. Or share what you're doing and influence another young mother. And, I never thought I'd say this, but you're boobs are the most awsome boobs I know of. While the rest of us worry about making sure our babies are well nourished and healthy, your milk is helping to heal Sam. I don't think Sam would be doing as well as he is without you breastfeeding him.
You're one amazing mama, and I am humbled by you.
(((hugs)))
TPN causes liver damage
What is TPN?
Also, I just wanted to add my support! I think it's amazing what you are doing! You are a fantastic mama! When someone calls me crazy, I just tell them that at least it's fun in my crazy world! Hahaha!
TPN is IV nutrition. They give him "everything he needs" through his IV. It's for people who can't get their nutrients orally.
I'm a nurse anesthetist. One of the requirements for CRNA programs is to work ICU. I worked adult ICU but had to give TPN to patients. It's rough stuff and if my baby had to have it I would do anything to minimize the amount and duration he needed it.
People in healthcare don't like things you can't objectively prove or anything even remotely outside their norm. My coworkers think I'm crazy for laboring and delivering med-free. I didn't have the balls to tell them it was a homebirth to boot (with a CPM not CNM- gasp!). Who cares what they think. The breastmilk is good for him, and you're doing everything in your power to keeps him as healthy as possible in this difficult time. Keep it up Mama, you're doing awesome!