CHARLOTTE JEAN MATERNITY UNIT

• Stress to the infant

• Whether adequate volume can be fed in 20-30 minutes

• Whether anticipated use is short or long-term

• Maternal preference

• Expertise of staff available

• Whether the method enhances development of breastfeeding skills

Depending on the cause of low supply, supplementation may be a temporary or a permanent solution. If an intervention - to bridge the journey to restoration of full breastfeeding - is likely to be long-term, then it is critical that whatever method is employed is sustainable and manageable for parents. As described by Kellams et al., (2017) the need for long-term use and maternal preference, alongside practical aspects of home-management, are factors to take into consideration if the infant is going home from the maternity facility still needing supplemental feeds.

KEY POINTS

• Keeping mother and baby in close proximity/ facilitating skin-to-skin care supports instinctive maternal behaviours, feeding responses and anxiety regulation in both infants and their mothers.

• Breastfeeding problems are solved by fixing breastfeeding, not by replacing it.

• Infants learn to breastfeed by breastfeeding, and respond well to milk flow, and mothers learn to breastfeed by breastfeeding.

• All feeding plans are developed with parental input and require full explanation and consent.

• Consider the effects that breastfeeding issues are having on the mother’s emotional health.

• If supplements are necessary consider what is given, when it is given, the volume given and how it is given.

• Weight assessment needs to be viewed as one strategy within a holistic breastfeeding evaluation.

• Cause the least disruption to continued breastfeeding for the mother and infant.

• Supplementation may be a temporary or a permanent solution - decisions about short or long-term use of supplementation and devices need to take the timeframe into account, as well as the practicalities of home management. square

References available on request.

charlotte jean maternity hospital: the end of an era

In 1997, Jenny O’Brien, a Central Otago midwife who had been working in the area for some time, turned a vision into a reality when she and husband Robin opened the Charlotte Jean Maternity Hospital.

Named after Jenny’s mother Jean and mother-in-law Charlotte, the maternity hospital was the physical manifestation of Jenny’s desire to create a homely environment where women’s partners were encouraged to stay overnight, and be part of the first few days postpartum. After purchasing a house in Alexandra on Ventry Street, the pair got to work converting the building into a purposefit maternity hospital and it has remained in the caring hands of the O’Brien family ever since.

Around 14 years ago, Jenny’s son Roger O’Brien and his wife Sue took over the helm at Charlotte Jean, but July of this year marked the end of an era, when Southern DHB started leasing the premises, in order to keep this vital facility operational 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year for the women and babies of Central Otago.

Although the numbers have varied over the years, Sue estimates Charlotte Jean is the place of birth for around 75 babies per year, and says it has been an honour to play their part in its history. “It’s been a huge privilege to provide care for the families of Central Otago over the years, and for Roger and I personally, to have carried on the ethos that Jenny created. We’d also like to acknowledge all of our staff, whose wonderful skill, dedication and care have given so many families the best possible start.”

Renamed as the Central Otago Maternity Unit, the facility will at some point relocate to new premises, but for now, women and babies of Central Otago will continue to be cared for at the original site where Jenny O’Brien welcomed the first baby to be born at Charlotte Jean.

The Southland regional branch of the College plans to commission a plaque in recognition of the O’Brien family’s significant contribution to maternity services within the region and would like to thank the O’Brien family for their tireless work over the years, serving women and babies of the Central Otago communities. square

Jenny O’Brien holding Melissa Klok, the first baby born at Charlotte Jean on 28 December 1997, to parents Margaret-Ann and Ronald Klok.