DebblesRN:
Thank you so much for addressing the visitor situation. Really, that is the big problem that I see consistently. Number two would be lack of staffing/time.
I wish I had a nickle for everytime a baby was just starting to latch on well and eat and there would be a knock on the door and visitors arriving with gifts and squeals of delight over the new baby. The pt. usually stops nursing to greet everyone and let them hold the baby.
Also first time new moms have visions of relaxing in their beautifully appointed post-partum suites, receiving visitors and opening gifts, taking pictures, wearing gorgeous nursing gowns with perfectly applied makeup and styled hair. Many are not prepared to do the real work that is required to initiate and maintain breastfeeding. When latching on or other issues occur it really seems to throw these young women for a loop.
I hate to say this, but in many ways I feel that breastfeeding is a "head game". Women need to be educated, supported, AND have the focus and determination to do just about whatever they need to do to make BF work.
I KNOW that for a good number of women, they did everything possible and things still did not work out. (Including myself with my firstborn.) But I think that many of us can tell as soon as we walk into the room to assist a mother, we can "feel" the difference between a woman prepared to do what is needed to be done to make BF work and the new mother who probably won't be able to go the distance.
