Nurse Takes Formula Away From Parents Who Were Trying to Feed Their Hungry Baby In The Hospital

My feeding journey was not at all what I envisioned for my little one and me. When I was pregnant with my firstborn, I heard stories from my mom that she never used a bottle with my brother and me. When I researched breastfeeding, parents were told how wonderful and natural it is. I believed breastfeeding would come naturally. 

The day my son was born was a whirlwind. I had to have a c-section due to complications, but we were so excited to meet him. The first few days, I tried to get him to latch on, and he would stay for a little while and then unlatch. I felt uneasy that he wasn’t getting enough colostrum, but the medical staff told me I was doing great. My husband and I were so focused on getting breastfeeding down that I forgot to get pictures of me and my little one. My focus was getting him fed the right way. Sometimes, nursing hurt so much that I would dread it when it was time for feeding. The on-site lactation consultant came the day after the c-section. She was with me for an hour and told me everything was wonderful! 

After she left, my baby would cry, and I knew something wasn’t right. My husband and I decided it was time to ask for formula. When we asked, the nurse kept asking us if we were sure. As first-time parents, we questioned if we were doing the right thing.

I was so exhausted and needed rest that my husband decided to feed my little one formula. Another nurse came in and said, “Dad! Don’t! Breastfeeding is the way! Don’t do that to your little one. Your wife is doing great.” She grabbed the formula from my husband’s hands and stashed it in a cabinet. My husband and I looked at each other in shock, and I tried to breastfeed again.

We were discharged on a Friday, and over the weekend, my son cried a lot, and I thought he might be a fussy baby. On Monday morning, we saw that my son had orange urine in his diaper. I lost it. I remember holding him and crying, blaming myself. We went to the doctor’s office and were told that he was dehydrated. He also lost a lot of weight, more than he should have, and my doctor suggested it was time to supplement my baby with formula. 

Then came the day that changed my mental health forever. 

After that, I cried for hours, and I could not get over the guilt. I kept thinking: “Why didn’t I know he was hungry or not getting enough? How could I have let my baby starve?” The guilt stayed with me for months and was the catalyst for my debilitating postpartum depression and anxiety diagnosis. 

After that, I became obsessed with feeding my son. I would write down how many ounces of formula or breastmilk he had and at what times. I no longer breastfed, but I pumped, so I knew exactly how many ounces he was consuming. Even when he was a few months older, I would still wake him up to feed him because I thought he would become dehydrated again. I hated when my little one would cry because it would be a reminder of the terrible weekend of his life, and I would break down, and I would cry.

My husband and I hope to have another little one, and I know what I would do differently. I feel guilty that my little one had a rough start on his feeding journey, but I try to remember that we were both learning and following the advice of medical professionals in the hospital. 

I can’t tell you how much I appreciate Fed is Best  Foundation and their work. I honestly don’t know what would have happened to me without finding your support community. I got so emotional writing my story.  Thank you for being there for mothers and babies.

Warmly,

Maria

FREE infant feeding resources:

Knowing if Your Newborn is HUNGRY and Needs Urgent Evaluation / Supplementation – Fed Is Best

Safe Infant Feeding Resources (fedisbest.org)

Fed is Best Feeding Plan – Updated 2024 – Fed Is Best

Pre-order our new book being published June 25th, 2024 : Fed Is Best Book – Fed Is Best Book

The Process of Healing from Infant Feeding Trauma, Guilt, and Shame: When You Wanted to Breastfeed, but Couldn’t – Fed Is Best

How to Breastfeed During the First 2 Weeks of Life – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Dangers of Insufficient Exclusive Breastfeeding Presented at the First Coast Neonatal Symposium – Fed Is Best

Contact Information – The Fed is Best Foundation

 

 

Frequent Feeding VS Cluster Feeding: How to Know If Your Baby Is Being Adequately Breastfed Before Lactogenesis II

Frequent breastfeeding and cluster feeding are often used interchangeably, creating confusion for parents. This educational blog will help parents clarify the differences between the two.

What are the differences between frequent breastfeeding and cluster feeding before lactogenesis II for newborns?

Frequent Feeding-Newborn babies feed frequently (every 2-3 hours) before lactogenesis II, the onset of copious milk production. Frequent feeding is expected and normal. 

Cluster Feeding-Cluster feeding occurs after the arrival of lactogenesis II and is defined as a series of short feeding sessions lasting 2-3 hours daily. 

The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine supplementary feeding protocol states cluster feeding before lactogenesis II requires a prompt evaluation to determine if the baby is getting enough colostrum. 

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The Fed Is Best Book: Protecting Infants and Empowering Choices

Sandra Stephany Lozoya combo-feeding her babies

In a world filled with parenting advice and conflicting messages, there emerges a beacon of wisdom and support – the upcoming release of the Fed Is Best book. Set to hit the shelves June 25, 2024, this transformative guide promises to navigate the intricate landscape of infant feeding choices, empowering parents with knowledge and judgment-free support. This highly anticipated book will reshape the conversation around infant nutrition, offering a comprehensive, science-backed, and inclusive perspective on the myriad ways families can safely and optimally nourish their babies.

Fed Is Best Book

What is the difference between this book and so many other breastfeeding manuals? The goal of the book is not to convince to feed your baby in one way or discourage you from feeding another by painting one type of feeding as ideal and the other as suboptimal or undesirable. The goal is to help you find the best way to feed your baby that fits your biology, your ability to produce milk, your baby’s needs, and the many social, economic, psychological, and practical factors that define what “best” infant feeding looks like for your family—which is different for every single family.

For too long, parents have had to accept a monolithic message that only exclusive breastfeeding provides the best for their infants. Mothers have been told that if they “perceive” that their milk is not enough, they are likely mistaken, under-educated, doing it wrong, or simply not trying hard enough. Little do they know that scientific research has shown that when measured by objective means, true insufficient milk supply is actually quite common. As a result, the message that insufficient milk is rare and supplementation is rarely necessary is putting many infants at risk and many mothers at risk postpartum mental health problems due to the faulty message that low milk supply is their fault. Little do parents know that health professionals have been witnessing a rise in complications of insufficient feeding of exclusively breastfed infants, like jaundice, dehydration, hypoglycemia, and failure to thrive, for as long as parents have been receiving this message.  And the most common victims are those who have diligently followed the guidelines they have found in parenting and breastfeeding manuals yet found that their milk supply was truly too low to safely exclusively breastfeed.

This comprehensive and compassionate guide gives you the raw truth of about breastfeeding and formula feeding, dissects the history and science of breast- and bottle-feeding, and helps you prepare to reach your feeding goals in a safe and practical way. It does this by teaching you how to be flexible and respond to problems while working towards your goal, whether it be exclusive breastfeeding, exclusive formula feeding, or combination feeding.

This groundbreaking work is divided into two distinct parts, each addressing crucial aspects of infant feeding.

Fed Is Best Book

Part 1: The History and Science of Infant Feeding

The first section of the book lays a solid foundation by exploring the complex history and science behind infant feeding practices. It starts with Chapter 1, delving into the evolution of breastfeeding, the role of supplemental feeding, and the development of infant formula, providing readers with a broad context to understand how current practices came to be.

In Chapter 2, the book challenges prevalent beliefs surrounding breastfeeding, debunking harmful myths and shedding light on inconvenient truths that often go unspoken in the discourse on infant nutrition. This chapter aims to foster a more nuanced understanding and encourage critical thinking about the information often presented to new parents.

Chapter 3 addresses the polarizing debate between breastfeeding and formula feeding, questioning the notion of a singular “best” method of infant feeding. It presents evidence-based insights that highlight the benefits and considerations of each method, promoting a balanced view that respects individual circumstances and needs.

The final chapter of this section, Chapter 4 defines optimal infant feeding through a scientific lens, arguing why “Fed Is Best” is a principle that supports the health and well-being of all infants, regardless of the feeding method chosen by their families.

Part 2: The Fed Is Best Guide to Safe and Optimal Infant Feeding

Transitioning from the why to the how, the second part of the book serves as a practical guide for expectant and new parents. Chapter 5 discusses preparations before birth to ensure that parents are equipped with the knowledge and resources needed for optimal infant feeding from day one.

Chapter 6 focuses on the critical first few days of an infant’s life, offering guidance on how to protect against insufficient feeding and ensure that newborns receive adequate nutrition for a healthy start.

Subsequent chapters delve into the specifics of various feeding methods. Chapter 7 through Chapter 11 cover breastfeeding, pumped milk feeding, formula feeding, combination feeding, and bottle feeding, each chapter providing detailed advice, troubleshooting tips, and support for the respective feeding method. The book emphasizes the importance of honoring and supporting all families and their chosen safe infant feeding practices in Chapter 12, advocating for a non-judgmental and inclusive approach to infant nutrition.

The “Fed Is Best” book promises to be an essential resource for parents, caregivers, and healthcare professionals alike, promoting a more informed, compassionate, and inclusive approach to infant feeding. By combining historical context, scientific evidence, and practical guidance, this book aims to empower families to make informed decisions that best suit their needs and circumstances, ensuring that every infant is fed with love and care. Click the button below to pre-order your copy.

Fed Is Best Book

How To Prepare For Supplementing When Breastfeeding Your Baby In The Hospital

Mothers who experienced delayed onset of milk production or experienced low milk supply with their first baby often contact us for support to try breastfeeding again. They typically have anticipatory anxiety because they have lost trust in their lactation professionals and hospital staff and are unwilling to attempt breastfeeding again without supplementation. They want to know how to supplement their baby until their milk supply becomes sufficient to feed them safely while providing proper breastfeeding stimulation for optimal milk production.

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