Patient teaching...or lack of

[Sarahstudent]

Yesterday I went on an obstetrical experience as a second year student. The RN whom I was paired with was helping the new mom to breast feed...well I shouldn't say "helping" rather "doing" the breast feeding for this first time mom. She would not let the mother hold the baby, rather, the RN held the baby to the mothers breast and with the other hand grabbed the mothers breast and shoved it in the babe's mouth....no explanation at all...no teaching... just doing. What a loss of a good teaching experience and bonding moment for this new family unit. I would have been so offended if I was that mother. She was not even given the chance to try to do it herself initially. How frustrating!

[Quicksilver]

Sounds like the nurse was in a hurry and didn't want to waste time teaching the mom what to do.. I was a postpartum nurse for 11 years and I used to see older nurses do stuff just like what you described. It was clear they were in a hurry and just didn't want to take time to show the new mom how to do it and let her practice it. The facility I worked at had a full time RN Lactation Education nurse that spent 8-9 hours a day just helping moms get breastfeeding right! You can literally spend HOURS with one mom who is having problems, just getting the baby to latch properly! Breastfeeding is often difficult for some mothers and even the ones that do well need patcience at the beginning!

Every one is diifferent. Sorry you had to see that but that kind of stuff is still out there. Hopefully you will get to work again with someone who can take the time to help the mom do it and not just rush through it.