"Conflicting advice"

I received incredible care from all the staff involved in my baby's journey through the NICU at KEMH. One thing that I feel could be improved however is the conflicting advice I received regarding the management of breastfeeding upon our discharge home.

After initially receiving lots of different advice from different staff about breastfeeding, pumping and offering extra milk to my baby, I felt really overwhelmed about what was the best option. The lactation consultants in the NICU and breastfeeding centre were so supportive and I really valued all of their care. However, their advice also differed. On discharge, I was advised to exclusively breastfeed and pump for comfort only. When I called to book into the breastfeeding centre I was told to continue pumping after all breastfeeds and that protecting my supply was the priority at all costs given my baby's prematurity and low birth weight. 

In the end, I received ongoing care from the breastfeeding centre which I feel so grateful for. I would have been devasted if I hadn’t received this advice and subsequently, seen a reduction in my breastmilk supply which I had worked so hard to establish in the early days when my baby was in the nursery. They helped to manage my milk supply and track my baby’s progress over a number of weeks. They are now breastfeeding well and I have the right amount of milk for my baby. 

Experiencing a premature birth is so difficult and being able to successfully provide milk and breastfeed was so important to me. Seeing other mums pumping in the nursery made it clear it was no different for them. I would hate to think that the supply these women also worked so hard for suffered once they were home if they were also given the same advice or lack of any advice or a clear plan. I think the services need to work together to ensure women are given sound and consistent advice.