Dawn does and has done so much to support and promote breastfeeding at Children's. She has not only served countless patient families, but she has also supported staff. Her passionate advocacy for our breastfeeding families is the area I believe she shines brightest in.
I have seen Dawn completing this advocacy cascade time and time again. It may begin with spending time discussing with the medical team the importance of an infant getting breast milk. Then educating and planning with a family how to best achieve their goal of giving breast milk to their medically compromised infant. Next, being the cheerleader for that family during the good and more difficult days. Often ending with the ideal follow through of helping that infant actually go to breast. She touches and empowers our families at a time when they feel least in control.
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My 2-day-old son was admitted to Children's. He had appeared well the first two days of life, and we were particularly proud of how well breastfeeding was going for our first child. Shortly before discharge from the hospital where my wife delivered our son we were informed of a potential health problem for our son and transferred to Children's for further evaluation and observation. First of all, I am proud to say that every aspect of the care we received at Children's was professional and thorough from the time the transport ambulance picked us up until the moment our car pulled away after discharge. However, during the transfer and requisite ensuing events during the admission, the one aspect of his care under which we felt confident, his ability to breastfeed, became more of a struggle. Our tension, combined with the events of his evaluation, were leading to further frustration for my wife and me. Our floor nurse called Dawn to consult with us.
I am happy to say that one of the most positive aspects of our hospital admission was our interaction with Dawn. Dawn recognized our tired and emotional state and immediately put us at ease. Her approach to breastfeeding combines practical know-how with the necessary medical needs of the infant and attention to the emotional fragility of the parents. Dawn spent more than 2 hours educating, demonstrating, and counseling us on proper care for our new baby. She provided us with the tools we needed to be successful at providing nourishment, and most gratefully, her kind demeanor and careful approach instilled us with great confidence in feeding and caring for our son.
I am thankful to say that our son received an excellent prognosis. Since leaving the hospital, he has quickly gained weight, and the confidence my wife and I share in nourishing him was instilled by the careful approach, kind ear and wise counsel of Dawn Schindler. We are forever grateful, and we love to tell our friends and family of the positive impact Dawn has had on our lives. The education and time we spent with Dawn has given us tools for caring for our child that are invaluable.