Lynda Swearingen
July 2013
Lynda
Swearingen
,
RN
Women and Infant Services
Advocate Good Shephard Hospital
Barrington
,
IL
United States
I would like to begin by saying that Lynda Swearingen, Lactation Consultant, is a wonderful role model when it comes to teaching our new Moms how to breastfeed. And just as important, teaching the staff to learn how to help our new mothers breastfeed. Lactation is supposed to be easy and natural and everyone can do it right? Breastfeeding has been called an "art" but I often think that the LC's that I know and have worked with have a God given talent and love to want to teach and support our Mothers in this endeavor. It can easily be one of the most frustrating and difficult challenges that we as Nurses do, often I think it is one of the least appreciated jobs, until you don't have one, then you really realize how much you DO need help with those Moms who just can't seem to breastfeed despite everything you have tried. It is one of the most frustrating aspects of being an OB Nurse.
I would like to share a story about Lynda that brought a whole new perspective and respect for her that I feel compelled to share with my co-workers.
In March, my son and daughter-in-law delivered 38 week twin girls at a local hospital. Their experience at this hospital fell so far short of our GSH high standards that I was almost embarrassed for our profession. Prior to delivery, I had many discussions with my daughter-in-law in regards to breastfeeding. She very much wanted to breastfeed her babies, but never was around anyone who had recently b.f, so she was nervous that this would not go well for her when the time came. We had talked a lot about utilizing the Lactation Consultants at the hospital she would deliver at and could potentially follow up with after delivery. Little did she know, the L.C.'s at this hospital were all terminated 3 weeks prior to her delivery of twins and the whole department was experiencing a disconnect with the patients regarding pumping, providing support while breastfeeding and helping with the discharge planning for any issues that might occur going home. The staff did very little to initiate breastfeeding, they were not "baby friendly" and immediately gave her formula.
Unfortunately, one of the twins was diagnosed with a serious heart defect and needed additional care in the high risk nursery and was separated from the Mother and her little sister immediately at birth. There was NO plan for coordinating feeding the twins, no PLAN for tandem feeding, NO plan for pump rental and NO PLAN for difficulties that the twins presented d/t separation and each with their own feeding needs. The disappointment with the staff was enormous and my daughter-in-law and son felt totally abandoned on every level of care, but especially regarding the breastfeeding the babies.
The day of discharge came, and to no one's surprise, it went poorly. The discharge occurred late and they did not get home until after 8pm. Walking in the door, my daughter-in-law burst into tears and cried about the whole experience. The breastfeeding was a big disaster and coming home, she had no idea how she was going to feed the two babies. They had never involved the two babies together and no one had even taken the time to explain what what was going to do to feed them. She needed a breast pump and was told the hospital did not rent them, nor did they give her any resources. I was furious!
I know I was in over my head. I rely on the support and direction from our Lactation Consultants at work and just assumed that my daughter-in-law would have the same education. Feeling so insecure I just didn't know who to call. I finally decided to reach out to Lynda since I know she is a great resource. One call to her, and I knew I had made the right call.
Lynda not only answered my desperate call, but also called a pump rental company and drove out from her home, on a cold, cold Saturday night, and met me at the rental company office to get the correct pump, pump kit and supplies. BUT, her help did not stop there; she they proceeded to insist on coming over to my son and daughter-in-law's home to set up the pump and to SHOW her how to tandem breastfeed the twins and give a private one-on-one consultation. SHE WAS AMAZING! I cannot express my feelings for Lynda. This was one of the most wonderful things anyone has every done for me. My daughter-in-law felt empowered for the first time since delivering the babies.
One of my twin granddaughters, has a very severe heart defect. The breast milk is SO important to her health and development and giving her the needed immunities that only breastmilk can provide. I have to credit Lynda for making this happen. I know that due to her dedication and going above and beyond my daughter-in-law was successful, and is still pumping and breastfeeding. Our little granddaughter has had a difficult 6 weeks and is facing another procedure, but she continues to grow and thrive. I felt that my story needed to be shared, we are all so lucky to work with such a dedicated nurse, who came out, on her own, to help a co-worker with a problem.
My family THANKS YOU!
I would like to share a story about Lynda that brought a whole new perspective and respect for her that I feel compelled to share with my co-workers.
In March, my son and daughter-in-law delivered 38 week twin girls at a local hospital. Their experience at this hospital fell so far short of our GSH high standards that I was almost embarrassed for our profession. Prior to delivery, I had many discussions with my daughter-in-law in regards to breastfeeding. She very much wanted to breastfeed her babies, but never was around anyone who had recently b.f, so she was nervous that this would not go well for her when the time came. We had talked a lot about utilizing the Lactation Consultants at the hospital she would deliver at and could potentially follow up with after delivery. Little did she know, the L.C.'s at this hospital were all terminated 3 weeks prior to her delivery of twins and the whole department was experiencing a disconnect with the patients regarding pumping, providing support while breastfeeding and helping with the discharge planning for any issues that might occur going home. The staff did very little to initiate breastfeeding, they were not "baby friendly" and immediately gave her formula.
Unfortunately, one of the twins was diagnosed with a serious heart defect and needed additional care in the high risk nursery and was separated from the Mother and her little sister immediately at birth. There was NO plan for coordinating feeding the twins, no PLAN for tandem feeding, NO plan for pump rental and NO PLAN for difficulties that the twins presented d/t separation and each with their own feeding needs. The disappointment with the staff was enormous and my daughter-in-law and son felt totally abandoned on every level of care, but especially regarding the breastfeeding the babies.
The day of discharge came, and to no one's surprise, it went poorly. The discharge occurred late and they did not get home until after 8pm. Walking in the door, my daughter-in-law burst into tears and cried about the whole experience. The breastfeeding was a big disaster and coming home, she had no idea how she was going to feed the two babies. They had never involved the two babies together and no one had even taken the time to explain what what was going to do to feed them. She needed a breast pump and was told the hospital did not rent them, nor did they give her any resources. I was furious!
I know I was in over my head. I rely on the support and direction from our Lactation Consultants at work and just assumed that my daughter-in-law would have the same education. Feeling so insecure I just didn't know who to call. I finally decided to reach out to Lynda since I know she is a great resource. One call to her, and I knew I had made the right call.
Lynda not only answered my desperate call, but also called a pump rental company and drove out from her home, on a cold, cold Saturday night, and met me at the rental company office to get the correct pump, pump kit and supplies. BUT, her help did not stop there; she they proceeded to insist on coming over to my son and daughter-in-law's home to set up the pump and to SHOW her how to tandem breastfeed the twins and give a private one-on-one consultation. SHE WAS AMAZING! I cannot express my feelings for Lynda. This was one of the most wonderful things anyone has every done for me. My daughter-in-law felt empowered for the first time since delivering the babies.
One of my twin granddaughters, has a very severe heart defect. The breast milk is SO important to her health and development and giving her the needed immunities that only breastmilk can provide. I have to credit Lynda for making this happen. I know that due to her dedication and going above and beyond my daughter-in-law was successful, and is still pumping and breastfeeding. Our little granddaughter has had a difficult 6 weeks and is facing another procedure, but she continues to grow and thrive. I felt that my story needed to be shared, we are all so lucky to work with such a dedicated nurse, who came out, on her own, to help a co-worker with a problem.
My family THANKS YOU!