Jack

by Allison McAdams-Baughman

I delivered a premature baby boy, Jonathan Hall Baughman "Jack", on November 29, 2002. Due to severe hypertension and a bi corneal uterus he was born by emergency c-section at 32 weeks gestation, more than 8 weeks premature of his expected January 21st due date. Jack was admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care unit at Mt Carmel East in Columbus, Ohio. He remained in the hospital for several weeks.

He weighed just over 3 pounds at birth and was discharged from the NICU at 3 pounds 14 ounces. During this time I pumped my milk for him every 3 hours around the clock. The milk did not come in for almost a week due to the magnesium sulfate and other medications given during my hospital stay. Jack was fed by bottle and allowed to nurse only once a day for approx. 10 minutes during the end of his hospital stay.

Jack was discharged too immature to directly breastfeed. I continued to pump and feed him by bottle every 2 hours. Due to a lack of milk, several bouts of mastitis and frustrating attempts with our nursing trials we contacted Bonnie Cable RN IBCLC, a lactation consultant with Mt Carmel. Jack was 25 days old and with our first visit we identified the following problems; attachment difficulty, dysfunctional infant suck, suboptimal maternal milk supply and bilateral nipple pain and trauma; post mastitis. We addressed these concerns and came up with a plan. I was very much on the edge of giving up all together, the stress of the delivery and having a premature infant were more than I thought I could handle. Both Bonnie, my husband and my Mother were extremely supportive and taught me how important it was to continue my efforts.

I was put on drugs to increase the milk supply; we worked on feeding positions and nipple care. We saw Bonnie several times and with much excitement Jack began nursing exclusively around Christmas. I can't say that it was at all easy but the rewards are beyond words. He has grown physically and mentally beyond the belief of all the doctors and specialists. Today he is a happy 15 pound 7 month old with a very proud Mother & Father.

I have gone back to work part time and I have continued to pump my milk for him while I am away. He has recently developed a milk allergy that has caused repeated double ear infections. Without the breast milk ensuring that he receives proper nutrition would be impossible. Please share this with other mothers, let them know the importance of persistence.