Want to make sure I'm not being mislead

ironadxn · August 2012

Hi ladies...I had my baby tonight at 6:06pm!!!!

He latched on right away and fed for a good 20 minutes during our hour and a half together before being taken for routine testing/measuring/etc. While in the nursery they GAVE HIM A BOTTLE without checking with me first due to low blood sugar levels. They called the pediatrician and this is what she directed them to do.

They are waiting to check his sugar levels again in 20 minutes and said they will give him another bottle if they are too low. Can't I argue for them to let me try and bring his sugars up with breastfeeding instead and then take it from there? Are they bsing me when they say breastmilk won't do it because it doesn't have a high enough sugar content? Obviously I want my baby to be healthy, but I don't want to ruin our chances of breastfeeding with an unnecessary bottle. And I know I can refuse anything, he's my baby, but I don't want to be stupid about it.

Thanks for the help.

jennyann28 · August 2012

I'm not an MD, so I don't know for sure, but my DD had low blood sugar at birth. I nursed her and it went up. No bottles needed. I'd ask about it. I'd also ask that my baby not be taken to the nursery. If you room in, they won't be able to do anything without you knowing.

shotzie · August 2012

From:

https://www.lalecheleague.org/nb/nbjulaug97p107.html

"The best way to stabilize blood sugar and prevent hypoglycemia in all infants is prompt and frequent feedings of colostrum and human milk."

Assuming LO's levels aren't dangerously low, I'd request to nurse and have LO's levels checked again after a certain amount of time. If you have a pump with you, you can pump when LO is in the nursery (though it's best to have LO with you, unless there are complications) or ask for the hospital to provide you a pump so you can pump while you two are apart. Ideally they would've notified you LO's sugar was low and brought him to you to nurse. I'd definitely let them know you're not happy with how they handled the situation.

ncbelle · August 2012

I'm so sorry that you are being undermined like this - I'm spitting mad for you! You are absolutely correct that nursing is fine. He is your baby; your call. Very unprofessional for them to not consult you first. I'd request he stay with you until discharge as there's no reason they can't do whatever testing needs to happen in your presence.

drcolleen · August 2012

https://www.bfmed.org/Media/Files/Protocols/hypoglycemia.pdf

I am a doctor, I would not let them feed my baby a bottle w/o first attempting breastfeeding, but I'm kind of stuck in my ways and get mad when nurses are less than breastfeeding friendly. But, the site above is to the Acadamy of Breastfeeding Medicine's hypoglycemia protocol.

Congratulations! Good Luck!

LCmomma · August 2012

This!! They did my lo's blood sugar testing in my room. She only left my room to get a bath and to be weighed. Make your opinion clear to them to respect your wishes. My sister had this issue with her hospital and we made ourselves a note to put in his crib! Good luck!

kalette · August 2012

Oh, my gosh. I would be so pissed if they fed my baby formula with out my permission. How can they possibly think that highly processed cow's milk is going to be better for him than your own human milk?? WTH!?

belladonna11307 · August 2012

First off - CONGRATULATIONS!

I'm not a doctor, but it seems to me that unless there is an inbalance in your milk that would be the best choice. I'd ask for the manager on duty (charge nurse?) and make it known that not asking your opinion for a medical intervention (giving formula to an ebf baby) is unacceptable and that all future decisions should be made WITH you not FOR you. You should at least have been asked first. The next thing I'd do is get on the phone with the pediatrician so that you can be directly involved in the care of your LO. Next, I'd be asking for a visit from a lactation consultant to make sure nursing is going well. This is your baby and you should know what is happening before it happens, not after the fact. Good luck and enjoy your little one!

laura.noel · August 2012

drcolleen:
https://www.bfmed.org/Media/Files/Protocols/hypoglycemia.pdf

I am a doctor, I would not let them feed my baby a bottle w/o first attempting breastfeeding, but I'm kind of stuck in my ways and get mad when nurses are less than breastfeeding friendly. But, the site above is to the Acadamy of Breastfeeding Medicine's hypoglycemia protocol.
Congratulations! Good Luck!

This board is so full of "I'm NOT a doctor" posts, that I found this refreshing.

Yes, they should be letting you try to nurse first. Be firm.

Congratulations!!

sadsadie · August 2012

I'd tell them if they give another bottle they'll be looking at a malpractice suit. Seriously, they need to eff off. Awful!

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