Breasfeeding mums in southampton urgetly need a bfeding counsellor

[hettie]

Hi,
Here is the story, a lovely couple I know are about to have their first baby. Mum is being enduced today at 35 weeks because water broke 48hours ago. She would love to be able to breastfeed, but the hospital have already said that it can be difficult with smaller/premmie babies to get a latch established. Anyway my mum to be friend would love some reassurance/advice and pref be able to talk to someone, and have someone come into hospital if need be.
I had a some great help from a local NCT bfeeding counsellor. My ds was born 4.5 weeks early and had to have (unrelated surgery) and I was unable to feed him for 8 days. We got established with the help of a lovely NCT bfeeding counsellor, but the hospital nearly scuppered our attempts by not knowing the right protocol. E.g they tried to feed him expressed colostrum/milk with a bottle rather than a small cup and they had no clue how to help get a latch going (I should add they were Brilliant at saving his life and lovely and attentive to us in many other ways!). But I don't live local to them, does anyone know of a good person to contact in the Southampton area? Also any support/top tips to post here as I will link to this thread.
Ta!

I'm not great on the geography of that area but there are LLL groups listed for Portsmouth and South Hants. If neither of those are near enough then they will probably know someone who can help.

Here's some good old reliable kellymom info. Good luck to your friend!

Ta ER, think they may be a bit far? Have found some local NCT numbers..... not sure which hospital they are in- but would have thought it standard by now that all HCP's no that BFeeding babies should be cup fed?

Hello Hettie, just want to say it can be done.

I had twins at 36 weeks at the Princess Anne by cesarean and the epidural gave me a lumbar puncture.

My smallest twin was 4lbs and because I breastfed him they let me take him out of special care 8 hours after birth (where they were feeding him with a tube).

Some of the nurses were quite impatient with us but one was lovely.

Main thing I needed was enough food (took in Complan), to concentrate on relaxing and being patient. Just gently brush nipple on baby's mouth, one nurse kept shoving my boob and him and was quite angry that I wanted to feed him.

I'm sure your friend will be fine, sounds like she being well supported x

God, the bfeeding ' help' at hospital can be so mixed cant it? Fancy getting impatient with u well! Found out they are in portsmouth QA. So maybe the portsmouth la leche would be good.
Thanks for the advice rfth, I defo think being calm and feeling supported helped me, but I was just given the wrong advice re bottles and top up feeds. If we hadn't got the nct in I would have been under pressure to formula feed as they won't discharge until bfeeding is established.

Should add friend can read thread but not post yet!

There is a group based at PAH:

Breastfeeding Babes

Princess Anne Hospital

Monday ? Fridays, 10am ? 1pm (with helpline open at the same times)

Tel: 07786 267584

Thanks so much

Hi Hettie - I've dropped you a PM.

Thanks holidays. Update is baby was born at 7 am, all well, and have already had some skin to skin and time at breast.hopefuly things will get established, but I have past on all the info so she knows she has lots of support options, thanks so much everyone

Hi everyone, we're the couple Hettie posted this to help and thanks for all the info. Typically as births do, it took its own course that no one was expecting! Boo was born this morning as Hettie says but has fluctuating low blood glucose levels so is dripped up to help this. Mum managed a full feed 20 mins after delivery but due to being prem, this isn't getting into the blood stream as desired. She is expressing a good amount which is given regularly by syringe and the plan is to express through the night, and if all is better during tomorrow, try and breast feed again.

Please keep posting as any more info will always be welcome so we can get our baby breast feeding as soon as possible.

Thanks

A friend of mine is a MW at Princess Anne and she used to run a breastfeeding group in/near Southampton. If you PM a number I could pass it on.

Congrats BTW

Apparently there is help at the Princess Anne hospital daily from 10-1pm on Broadlands ward in room 25.

there is an NCT group in Southampton.

My friend runs Burseldon BF Babes which runs weekly. Is this anywhere near you, a group is also in Westin.

There should be excellent help on hand anyway but do understand it can be a bit hit and miss depending on hospital.

burseldon breastfeeding babes has their own website. Will have to google as can't seem to link it.

thanks so much sailors... have passed on the info, he's been on drip but hopefuly deefing can resume tommorow...

(deefing!) bfeeding even

sailorsgal, thats superb, Bursledon is 2 miles from where we live so definitely going give them a call! Thank you.

Update on where we are, Boo had his drip removed during the night after we tried a bit of skin on skin late yesterday evening and he just wanted to latch on. The nurse said to try him and see what happens, hey presto a 20 minute feed and one very content baby!! Another feed this morning and we're off and flying, funny how they just know what they want.

Hi Drappel, Did you find the website ok?. Great that the group is near you. I used to live in Hamble so know the area.

My friend is the MW on the website and is very helpful. If you need her number let me know.

Great to hear everything is going well.

Sailorgal. x

Hi sailorsgal, sorry for the late reply, we lived in ICU for a few days getting ready to come home, which we finally did on Saturday!!!! Boo is really well and today was checked and weighed and has already got back up to birth weight. We are soooo happy.

I did check out the website and DW is going to go this Thursday, thanks for all your help.

Drappel ;)