Barrier in Breastfeeding

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The baby has just been born and everyone is elated. Mom had a moment or two to hold her new baby as she was being repaired from the episiotomy and cleaned up after delivery. Baby is taken to the warmer after Mom and Dad have lovingly touched him. Those in the room, including aunt Nancy, sister Jessica, and both sets of grand-parents, are so excited for this new little one. Everyone is talking about how the mother did during labor and delivery and the relief that no one passed out.

As everyone is discussing the miracle of birth and how it affected each of them, they glance at the baby to discuss how his nose looks like Grandpa Ted's or his fingers look long like cousin Richard's. They each question how long the baby needs to be in the warmer. Once ready, the nurse wraps the baby up in 4 warm blankets similar to what a human burrito would look like, and instructs everyone to keep the baby warm (bundled).

The first relative nearest the baby opens his arms to hold the baby, and everyone is hushed in quiet reverence. Baby starts to open his eyes, but since the lights are on in the room, he immediately shuts them. Aunt Nancy then comes over and says she needs a turn to hold baby. The baby now is opening his mouth and turning his head around, but his eyes are still shut because of the lights. Baby is starting to cry, so Grandma Sue takes her turn to hold baby. Baby is still turning his head. Now his hand has come up out of the blanket, and he immediately starts sucking it. He again starts crying, and turns his head with his mouth open similar to a baby bird. Grandpa Dave comes over to take the baby. He starts bouncing the baby up and down to calm him. In fact, Grandpa Dave is so good at quieting the baby, that baby falls back to sleep.

Mom requests to hold her newborn son. Dad looks admiringly at baby who is now sound asleep. Mom then decides baby is hungry, and brings him to her breast, but he remains asleep. Aunt Nancy adjusts pillows. Baby sleeps. Mom rocks her little one as she talks to him, and he continues to sleep. The nurse comes in and asks if the baby nursed, and Mom reports, "no." The nurse picks up the baby and says, "Maybe later. If we need to, we will give the baby a bottle because a baby needs to eat." She proceeds to the nursery with the baby in her arms. . . to be continued.