Question about breastfeeding, please!

Question

I am due to have my baby on August 31st (scheduled section) and have a question about breastfeeding. I have had two previous Csections, so that is not the problem. I pre-registered at my hospital; a new hospital to me since I had to switch docs with this pregnancy. The nurse/admin at the hospital that registered told me that when I am recovering from the surgery that they give the baby a bottle. Is that standard???!?!? She said due to sugar depletion is the reason but I remember with my other two I recovered for an hour and then breastfed right away. I have two other boys, 8 and 6, that I breastfed very successfully (more than for a year with both) but I don't recall them getting a bottle. I am a strictly breastfeeding only mom and I don't want the nurses to confuse the baby.

Do any of you moms have any experience with this? I strictly do not want to bottle feed my child but if there is a medical purpose for that first bottle, I should know.

Thanks for all of your advice!!!

Answer 1

I've also had 2 c-sections and this didn't happen.  The nurses actually encouraged putting the baby to the breast immediately after I got to the recovery room.  I wasn't given any bottles until I had asked for one.  The only thing I can think of is they said they'd give you a bottle is because of the supposed hard time women have breastfeeding due to the pain, which is c**p to me.

Congrats on your new upcoming arrival!

Answer 2

NO! NO! NO!

They do not have to give baby a bottle! They have no clue what they are talking about.

And, if everything goes as planned, you'll only be in the recovery room one or two hours!

Newborn babies could survive the first 12 hours without any nutrition... not ideal, of course, but you need to talk to those doctors! Put in writing that your baby is not to recieve a bottle and if extra supplementation is needed, it must  be done through a dropper!

Answer 3

It should never be necessary to routinely give ANY baby a bottle.  No baby will starve to death in the couple of hours it takes to recover from surgery sufficiently to nurse, and unless blood tests show he has very low blood sugar (which can be treated without a bottle of formula...), then he can wait until you are able to nurse.

Be very clear that baby is not to get a bottle, and if you worry that they'll do it anyway, have daddy accompany baby to the nursery.  

Answer 4

Mine would be pain medication. Ask them, they have the answers.

Answer 5

I wouldn't give the bottle.  I've never heard of this.  I'd discuss it with your pediatrician.  And if they're ok with it, just have your husband stay with the baby and not allow the nurses to give the bottle.

Answer 6

they gave my baby a bottle after she was born and she drank it all.. it depends on two things- they check the babys blood sugar after borth.if low, they give a bottle right away...and ho wlong you were in labor, and how much stress the baby had to take...althouggh she was given the bottle, i fed her right afetr and she latched on for 7 months..no problem. listen to the nurses and doc..they know what they are doing

Answer 7

that may be standard practice for them since only 1/4 of the hospitals in this country are pro breastfeeding...you can thank the formula companies for that.....you must tell them that your wishes are no supplementary bottles and that you are exclusively breastfeeding...period.

Answer 8

This happened with my sister. right after they cleaned up my niece while my sister was getting stitches they took the baby to the nursery and gave her a bottle. they never asked if my sister was OK with this they just did it. So when she got home she had a very hard time getting her to nurse she tried everything and since she couldn't get her to latch on her milk dried up within 2 weeks.   I am TTC and I already told my doctors there will be no bottle feeding after i give birth( yes I know I'm not pregnant but My midwife said it was best to start thinking about a birth plan so that's why we talked about this already)  I want to at least give nursing a try before going to formula. After I told her this she wrote it down in my records and highlighted it.  

SO I would suggest telling them before hand your wishes so this doesn't happen.  

Answer 9

i did have the problem my daughter was given a bottle she wasn't confused she breastfed just fine

Answer 10

The only reason they can give a child a bottle against a mother's wishes is if the infant has low blood sugar due to gestational diabetes or you will be detained for a while.  Anytime the nurses give a bottle to an infant it's for their own comfort, and most hospitals I know have policies that spell out that not only is breast feeding to be supported but bottles are not offered without the mom's approval.  

It may be at the hospital it's a routine practice, but that does not make it okay or something that you need to allow happening.  Send your husband with your baby and have make sure that no bottle is given to the infant.  Make sure your doctor and the nurses understand your wishes.  Sugar depletion is only when you have gestational diabetes, not a standard course.

Answer 11

What they are telling you is BS!!!!  Have your local La Leche League call the hospital and inform them of the benefits of breastfeeding.  If they give the baby at bottle when it's newborn it may cause nipple confusion and they will have a hard time latching on to your breast.

Answer 12

it shouldnt be necessary. i had an emergncy c-section and i was allowed to nurse immediately after it. tell them no bottles, if there is a problem, the baby can have sugar water from a cup, spoon or syringe  

Answer 13

You can tell them what you want.  You can tell them you dont' want them to give your child ANY bottles or pacifiers.  It's your child, it's your choice.

If they give you a hard time, print out some info and show them that giving a baby a bottle that early may lead to latching problems later on.