My hospital is working toward becoming baby friendly. This entails that we promote rooming-in and breastfeeding, which I have no problem at all with- what I do have a problem with is how we are being presented with it- and how we must now interact with our patients. Our patients come from a very diverse spectrum of cultures who are set in their ways and I guess I don't really feel it's my place to be like "well welcome to America- this is how we do it, too bad so sad."
We have been ordered to move all formula, nipples and pacifiers to the back room of the nursery (which has also undergone a name change to make it less accessible and friendly sounding) so that NOBODY sees it, patients or family. We don't want them to think we promote formula or artificial nipples. We are instructed now to council every mother who has chosen to formula feed, or do breast/bottle combo on the "dangers of feeding formula to your baby". Yes, these very words were uttered and in writing. There's serious talk of making the mother sign an informed consent before giving the baby any formula- acknowledging that she is aware that she is causing harm to her baby by giving him/her formula, and that they understand that breast milk is superior to formula.
We must extensively chart WHY mom is choosing formula. We have to now keep all the shades in the nursery down so that people don't look in, and THINK it's a nursery and again to make it an in-accessible place.
This really seems out of hand to me. I love where I work, I love the field but boy, we are in for some troubles when a mom from another culture other than white-upper class wants to put their baby in the nursery so they can sleep, or can go for a walk, or wants to formula feed and then gets a 20 minute lecture implying that they're a bad mom for choosing this method. Is this true of any other hospitals out there that are baby friendly or are in the process? I feel like they're trying to brainwash us, or like it's becoming a cult-like atmosphere!
I had my babies almost 20 years ago and was sent home with packages of formula and not a lot of good information about breastfeeding. I had done my research and had decided to breastfeed but as a new mom being overwhelmed with a new baby it was easy to to try the formula since it was promoted as a good alternative, dad can help with the feelings, it's almost as good, don't feel bad, not everyone is cut out to breast feed...
The reality is new babies are a lot of work, moms are overwhelmed, and formula can be harder than breastfeeding. It is expensive, it goes sour, takes time to make a bottle vs always ready breast milk. I won't beat myself up too much over my decisions 18 years ago but I will be honest and say that I wish I had more support at the hospital about breastfeeding vs the culture that didn't want anyone to feel bad so let's present both options as safe and healthy.
I could argue with my first child that mastitis, sore nipples, (mostly just lack of sleep) meant that I was one of those moms that just couldn't breastfeeding, but the reality is those were treatable and with the correct support and education I could have made it longer than 4 months.
I learned a lot and my 2nd baby was breastfed for 16 months. They are both healthy adults now.
Most new moms and dads have lots to learn about their new babies. There are going to be a few moms who aren't able to breastfeed, and I hope they aren't made to feel bad but as nurses it is our job to teach. We wouldn't tell anyone that white bread is nutritionally equivalent to homemade wheat bread, so why would we do the same for breastmilk vs formula?
Specializes in Pediatrics, High-Risk L&D, Antepartum, L.
Big breast feeding advocate here. But unfortunately, breast milk has sadly been found to be contaminated with lead, mercury, orificenic and other heavy metals. If nurses educate mothers regarding the proven advantages, they also should be educating them as to how to make the healthiest breastmilk possible through healthier diets and lifestyles. Unfortunately, though, some contaminants in our environment are difficult to avoid. [/quote']
Even in a less than ideal diet breastmilk is still preferred over formula. Sure implementing more breastfeeding education would be great and that's part of the initiative. But telling moms their milk is contaminated? Seriously? We know breastmilk is still superior than formula.
How do you know that any family's decision to use formula is an uneducated one? How do you assess parents' knowledge of the risks versus benefits of formula use before providing teaching and objective resources (that I 'd like for you to share with us)?
Agree.
I'm a nurse, spent four years getting a BSN. Trust me I've heard allllll the lectures about breast/bottle feeding. I'm not ignorant. But I know when the time comes what I want -- and I don't need to be educated on it or treated as a bad mother because of it. And no, I have no medical reason not to.
Specializes in Pediatrics, High-Risk L&D, Antepartum, L.
Agree. I'm a nurse spent four years getting a BSN. Trust me I've heard allllll the lectures about breast/bottle feeding. I'm not ignorant. But I know when the time comes what I want -- and I don't need to be educated on it or treated as a bad mother because of it. And no, I have no medical reason not to.[/quote']
Being a nurse and having a BSN does not equal a lot of breastfeeding knowledge not does it equal knowing the risks of formula. So...we won't assume you have the education just because of initials behind your name. I don't like it when people assume I know everything about medicine because of my initials.
People are gonna feel guilty about stuff no matter what. I know.moms are gonna fel guilty though and I work to minimize it. If a mom asks for formula from the beginning, I give it, I may ask "what made you decide to formula feed?" and just chat. If a mom asks for formula after having breastfed for awhile, I see if I can resolve concerns about breastfeeding and see if they have questions I can answer. If they say they want it, I give it. I'm not required to talk about the risks of formula feeding to my patients. I didn't know that was part of baby friendly??
Specializes in Pediatrics, High-Risk L&D, Antepartum, L.
Anything you can share with us?
Unfortunately, I have only been able to check in from my phone and just more than I want to type on my phone.
I do question a little about what exactly you are looking for? Do you want a mock conversation? Do you want the ape dock information about the risks of formula?
Unfortunately, I have only been able to check in from my phone and just more than I want to type on my phone.
I do question a little about what exactly you are looking for? Do you want a mock conversation? Do you want the ape dock information about the risks of formula?
You stated in a previous post that educating parents on the benefits of BF is not enough, that the risks of formula must be presented also. The research based, scholarly resources I have found focus primarily on the former, not the latter. The material I have found describing dangers of formula has come from sources that don't meet the same stringent scientific criteria. I would like to know where you have found scholarly, research based information that pertains specifically to the dangers of formula, independent of benefits of BF, as you indicated is imperative in educating parents.
So a bibliography, links to scholarly articles or professional medical, nursing, nutrition or psychology websites that you use and cite in your interactions would be helpful.
You have challenged posters here to a very high standard in informing ourselves and parents of the dangers of formula. I am asking for the information that you use to accomplish this important mission to the standards you have set.
Those who wish to follow your lead would have an easier time doing so if they had access to the same information you use, much like instructors share resources with students. Not everyone who wishes to advocate for infant health has the time or access to databases to develop a list of resources. As passionate as you seem to be, I thought that perhaps you would be willing to share. If not, sorry for asking.
Being a nurse and having a BSN does not equal a lot of breastfeeding knowledge not does it equal knowing the risks of formula. So...we won't assume you have the education just because of initials behind your name. I don't like it when people assume I know everything about medicine because of my initials.
You stated in a previous post that educating parents on the benefits of BF is not enough, that the risks of formula must be presented also. The research based, scholarly resources I have found focus primarily on the former, not the latter. The material I have found describing dangers of formula has come from sources that don't meet the same stringent scientific criteria. I would like to know where you have found scholarly, research based information that pertains specifically to the dangers of formula, independent of benefits of BF, as you indicated is imperative in educating parents.
So a bibliography, links to scholarly articles or professional medical, nursing, nutrition or psychology websites that you use and cite in your interactions would be helpful.
You have challenged posters here to a very high standard in informing ourselves and parents of the dangers of formula. I am asking for the information that you use to accomplish this important mission to the standards you have set.
Those who wish to follow your lead would have an easier time doing so if they had access to the same information you use, much like instructors share resources with students. Not everyone who wishes to advocate for infant health has the time or access to databases to develop a list of resources.
Melmarie and I both posted a literature review from 2009, reviewing research that focuses on the risks of formula and which includes studies that were meta-analyses. If that's not "scientifically stringent" enough for you I'm not sure what is. What are you REALLY trying to argue, may I ask?
Our patients come from a very diverse spectrum of cultures who are set in their ways and I guess I don't really feel it's my place to be like "well welcome to America- this is how we do it, too bad so sad."
Most cultures around the world do what Baby-Friendly does! Don't sell the families you serve short by assuming since they're not "white, middle class" that the new hospital environment won't work for them.
We have been ordered to move all formula, nipples and pacifiers to the back room of the nursery (which has also undergone a name change to make it less accessible and friendly sounding) so that NOBODY sees it, patients or family. We don't want them to think we promote formula or artificial nipples.
Exactly. Hospitals should promote health, not do the dirty work of marketing for multi-billion dollar, mulit-national companies. Any mom who wants "free" formula samples can sign up for as many as she wants online or through the mail.
We are instructed now to council every mother who has chosen to formula feed, or do breast/bottle combo on the "dangers of feeding formula to your baby". Yes, these very words were uttered and in writing. There's serious talk of making the mother sign an informed consent before giving the baby any formula- acknowledging that she is aware that she is causing harm to her baby by giving him/her formula, and that they understand that breast milk is superior to formula.
Hmm...most hospitals don't refer to the "danger" of formula feeding, or say that breastmilk is "superior". The point is to assure that families understand the RISKS of not breastfeeding (and, yes, there are in fact risks). Like any intervention, it makes sense to ask parents to sign a consent form. If there were an issue with the formula (recalls do happen), it makes sense on the part of liability for the hospital, as well.
Specializes in Pediatrics, High-Risk L&D, Antepartum, L.
You stated in a previous post that educating parents on the benefits of BF is not enough that the risks of formula must be presented also. The research based, scholarly resources I have found focus primarily on the former, not the latter. The material I have found describing dangers of formula has come from sources that don't meet the same stringent scientific criteria. I would like to know where you have found scholarly, research based information that pertains specifically to the dangers of formula, independent of benefits of BF, as you indicated is imperative in educating parents. So a bibliography, links to scholarly articles or professional medical, nursing, nutrition or psychology websites that you use and cite in your interactions would be helpful. You have challenged posters here to a very high standard in informing ourselves and parents of the dangers of formula. I am asking for the information that you use to accomplish this important mission to the standards you have set. Those who wish to follow your lead would have an easier time doing so if they had access to the same information you use, much like instructors share resources with students. Not everyone who wishes to advocate for infant health has the time or access to databases to develop a list of resources. As passionate as you seem to be, I thought that perhaps you would be willing to share. If not, sorry for asking.[/quote']
I will get you what you want. The risks of formula may be included with the benefits of breastfeeding in many articles. I was just trying to gather exactly what you wanted and when I'm at my actual computer I will post information.
Mn nurse 22
103 Posts
I had my babies almost 20 years ago and was sent home with packages of formula and not a lot of good information about breastfeeding. I had done my research and had decided to breastfeed but as a new mom being overwhelmed with a new baby it was easy to to try the formula since it was promoted as a good alternative, dad can help with the feelings, it's almost as good, don't feel bad, not everyone is cut out to breast feed...
The reality is new babies are a lot of work, moms are overwhelmed, and formula can be harder than breastfeeding. It is expensive, it goes sour, takes time to make a bottle vs always ready breast milk. I won't beat myself up too much over my decisions 18 years ago but I will be honest and say that I wish I had more support at the hospital about breastfeeding vs the culture that didn't want anyone to feel bad so let's present both options as safe and healthy.
I could argue with my first child that mastitis, sore nipples, (mostly just lack of sleep) meant that I was one of those moms that just couldn't breastfeeding, but the reality is those were treatable and with the correct support and education I could have made it longer than 4 months.
I learned a lot and my 2nd baby was breastfed for 16 months. They are both healthy adults now.
Most new moms and dads have lots to learn about their new babies. There are going to be a few moms who aren't able to breastfeed, and I hope they aren't made to feel bad but as nurses it is our job to teach. We wouldn't tell anyone that white bread is nutritionally equivalent to homemade wheat bread, so why would we do the same for breastmilk vs formula?