Jacquelyn D. Bell-Benton/RN/CCE/IBCLC

Clinical Manager, Nursing Administrative Support

Washington Hospital  Center

Mudiwah A. Kadeshe/RNC/CCE/IBCLC

Director, Parent Services

Washington Hospital Center

Objective:

To provide lactation support to the grieving mother suffering the loss of her infant.

Abstract:

“I have lost my child and a hole has been ripped in the universe.  Neither I, nor the universe can be the same.  We shall mourn our losses together”.   A birth has occurred, either a previable infant, preterm or full term infant, and now the infant has died.  The infant may have lived in the NICU for some time and now there is a loss.  How does a mother now handle her milk supply her arms are empty yet her breasts offer a constant reminder of the life she once knew.

The sudden or immediate cessation of breastfeeding or pumping can lead to engorgement, plugged ducts or mastitis.  The key is to slowly suppress lactogenesis (production of human milk) and minimize the discomfort to mothers and avoid potential problems.  The care has to be individualized; the mother who suffers a fetal death in-utero (FDIU) may require short term assistance for several days after birth:  expressing small amounts of milk when feeling the fullness in her breasts.  A mother who has established a milk supply by pumping for her infant in the NICU may need engorgement and mastitis prevention.  Perhaps introducing the idea of donating her refrigerated breastmilk to a milk bank that will offer the gift of “white blood” to another fragile infant will assist the family through the grieving process.

The program is to provide consistent and continued support to the grieving mother through education and providing community resources.  Each mother who suffers a loss will be given written instructions on the best method to wean her milk production, access to the lactation resource center warm-line to answer concerns as they arise individually and/or a liaison to connecting with a human milk bank if she so desires.