lcionline Chapter 1859 Lactation Consultant
Chapter 1859 Lactation Consultant
Lin Chuqiao's words, which sounded like a vow, echoed in Li Xiangnan's mind.
But at this moment, the joy and tranquility in the ward slightly dispelled this shock, and he quickly put on a gentle smile and turned back to the ward.
Lin Chuqiao had also returned to normal. Standing by the crib, she was chatting softly with Ruobai about parenting tips. Her tone was warm and appropriate, showing no signs of anything amiss. And when she occasionally glanced at the child, her gaze held a more indescribable focus than others.
Just then, Gui Jing, the head of the obstetrics and gynecology department, came to make rounds with the nurses for a routine check-up. She saw Li Xiangnan warming the baby bottle in his hands. After carefully asking about Qin Ruobai's condition, she finally asked, "Little Qin, hasn't your milk come in yet?"
Qin Ruobai's face immediately flushed red. She shook her head somewhat embarrassedly and whispered, "Not...not yet!"
Upon hearing this, several elders in the room immediately became anxious.
Zhu Qiuju was the first to come over and said with concern, "Director Gui, this won't do. The baby won't get enough nutrition if he only drinks formula. Breast milk is the most nutritious, and it will make the baby strong!"
Jiang Guiying nodded, "Yes, Ruobai, Director Gui, breast milk is the best food for babies. Can you see if you can think of a way to encourage it?"
Even Grandma Song and Yu Jingran gently advised, "The older generation all say that breast milk is nourishing. Director Gui, can you think of a better way?"
Gui Jing, being an experienced obstetrician and gynecologist, suggested, "You could try applying warm compresses and massaging Ruobai to promote milk flow! If that doesn't work, you could temporarily find a wet nurse..."
In an era of relative scarcity of resources and a greater emphasis on breastfeeding, hiring wet nurses was not uncommon.
"Wet nurse?"
Upon hearing this, Li Xiangnan's heart tightened. Although he was not old-fashioned, he knew the benefits of breastfeeding. Although formula was also acceptable, he still hoped that his daughter could drink her mother's colostrum.
After all, this is the first child. There will be several more in the future, and we can't hire wet nurses or feed them all formula.
Seeing his wife's somewhat helpless and guilty expression, Li Xiangnan felt both heartache and anxiety.
Just then, the grandmother, who had been quietly watching over the child, spoke up. With a heavy Hunan accent, she said in a calm tone, "Don't worry, there's no need to find a wet nurse. I'll come and take a look!"
All eyes immediately turned to the old man who had traveled a long way.
Tang Qingshuang placed the rattle drum by the bedside, came over and gently took Qin Ruobai's hand, looking at her kindly: "Child, don't be afraid or ashamed, Grandma is here. In our village, many women have their breasts massaged after giving birth by me! You just gave birth, and your blood and qi are still adjusting, so it's normal for them to be a little blocked. It will be fine after the massage! Grandma is here, so don't worry!"
Her words seemed to possess a mysterious magic, instantly calming the tense atmosphere considerably.
Zhu Qiuju and Jiang Guiying exchanged a glance, both seeing the trust in each other's eyes.
They all knew that this old woman, who came from the mountains, possessed a life wisdom that city dwellers had long forgotten.
"Oh dear!" Jiang Guiying slapped her forehead and laughed, "Look at my memory! Back when Haitang was giving birth, you were the one who massaged her back into place!"
Tang Qingshuang smiled slightly, nodded to her, and then looked at everyone, "Then please go out for a bit, we mother and children can stay here!"
This matter was, after all, somewhat private, and Grandma's intention to protect Ruobai was obvious.
These words resonated with many people.
In the 1980s, discussing topics like breastfeeding and lactation induction, especially with so many men present, was indeed embarrassing.
Wang Defa, Song Ziming, Pang Weinong, and several other male comrades, along with the Lin family members, quickly got up to say goodbye and escaped the ward with a sigh of relief.
The Lin siblings also left with the others. Before leaving, Lin Chuqiao took a deep look at the crib, her eyes already filled with love.
Although Li Xiangnan was worried about his wife, he knew it wasn't appropriate for him to stay there. He went to the bedside and encouraged his wife, "Don't be nervous, Grandma has experience. I'll wait for you outside!"
Seeing the encouragement and trust in her husband's eyes, Qin Ruobai quickly nodded.
The men and some of the visitors retreated into the corridor, and Li Xiangnan also closed the door and came to the doorway, pacing back and forth.
He knew that there might be difficulties in the early stages of breastfeeding, but when the time came, he couldn't help but worry.
On the one hand, he felt sorry for his wife who was going to suffer, and on the other hand, he hoped that his daughter could successfully get a taste of the precious colostrum.
In this era where there are few types of formula milk powder and the nutritional content is inadequate, and people rely more on breast milk, whether or not they can successfully breastfeed has become the top priority for every newborn family.
Inside the ward, the curtains had been quietly drawn, creating a relatively private space.
Zhu Qiuju, Jiang Guiying, and Yu Jingran did not leave; they stayed around the bedside, comforting Qin Ruobai with their own experience.
"Don't be embarrassed, this is a hurdle that every mother has to go through!"
"Yes, that's how it was back then. There were even lactation consultants in the village!"
"Your grandma is a skilled and experienced cook, so don't worry!"
With encouragement from several elders, Qin Ruobai finally overcame her shyness and nodded.
Grandma washed her hands and, with her calloused yet exceptionally warm hands, began to patiently, meticulously, and gently stimulate her granddaughter's lactation using a unique, traditional method.
She didn't say much, but expressed her love through her actions.
Qin Ruobai occasionally frowned slightly, but seeing her grandmother's distressed face, she gritted her teeth and persevered.
Time passed slowly, and Li Xiangnan waited anxiously outside the door.
She didn't know how much time had passed when the ward door was suddenly pulled open a crack. Zhu Qiuju peeked out, her face filled with a relieved joy, and waved to her son, "Nannan, come in and see!"
Li Xiangnan's heart skipped a beat, and he rushed over.
Upon entering the room and closing the door, one could see Qin Ruobai lying on the hospital bed, her forehead still covered in fine beads of sweat, her face somewhat tired, but her eyes exceptionally bright, and a satisfied smile on her lips, the kind that belongs to a mother.
In her arms, the little one, Li Xitang, had his eyes closed, his little mouth sucking vigorously, making soft, rhythmic sucking sounds, completely content.
Sunlight filtered through the gauze curtains, gently bathing the mother and daughter in a sacred glow.
Qin Ruobai looked down at his daughter, who was struggling to stay awake, his face beaming with a happy smile—a feeling of emotion that words could not describe.
Grandma stood to the side, wiping Ruobai's forehead with a warm towel, her eyes full of satisfaction.
Zhu Qiuju, Jiang Guiying, and Yu Jingran all exchanged smiles and nodded to Li Xiangnan, as if they had accomplished something remarkable.
"Hey, this little guy!"
Li Xiangnan stood there, looking at this harmonious and vibrant scene, and his eyes immediately welled up with tears.
All worries and anxieties vanished at that moment, leaving only a surge of love in my heart.
He stepped forward, squatted down by the bed, and gently touched his daughter's pink little feet with his fingertips. Then he looked up and met his wife Qin Ruobai's gaze.
A thousand words are left unsaid, but everything is understood without saying a word.