Shaming moms for not pumping enough
I used this app 3 years ago when my baby was in the NICU and it worked well enough—mostly I cherished the pictures the nurses sent.
But I just opened up the app again today, and was greeted by this message (took a screenshot but it doesn’t look like reviews allow photos). It said: “MOMMY, YOUR BABY NEEDS YOU. Babies thrive on breast milk. Every second you pump is a second less for your baby in the NICU.” As a mom who did pump for my NICU baby, I’m honestly disgusted by how this message shames moms who either choose not to pump, or do pump but feel like they’re not able to produce enough, or don’t pump as frequently because they have a job/other kids/a disability/who knows what other life circumstances that might make it challenging to maintain a schedule of pumping around the clock every 3 hours (which is what my hospital recommended). And adding the completely unsupported assertion that there’s some kind of 1 to 1 ratio of time you fail to pump that will keep your kid in the NICU longer feels like a cruel way to push already stressed and guilt-laden moms over the edge.
Please do better, Kare Connect.
But I just opened up the app again today, and was greeted by this message (took a screenshot but it doesn’t look like reviews allow photos). It said: “MOMMY, YOUR BABY NEEDS YOU. Babies thrive on breast milk. Every second you pump is a second less for your baby in the NICU.” As a mom who did pump for my NICU baby, I’m honestly disgusted by how this message shames moms who either choose not to pump, or do pump but feel like they’re not able to produce enough, or don’t pump as frequently because they have a job/other kids/a disability/who knows what other life circumstances that might make it challenging to maintain a schedule of pumping around the clock every 3 hours (which is what my hospital recommended). And adding the completely unsupported assertion that there’s some kind of 1 to 1 ratio of time you fail to pump that will keep your kid in the NICU longer feels like a cruel way to push already stressed and guilt-laden moms over the edge.
Please do better, Kare Connect.
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It’s good
This app could be better if we are able to communicate with the nurses directly. We are able to message the lactation consultant but not the RN who is directly taking care of our child?
I do like the graph of your milk production, that is helpful to see how you are doing.
I do like the graph of your milk production, that is helpful to see how you are doing.
This app saved me
After waking up for a coma 19 days after my son was born at 29 weeks, this app was all I had since I missed out on his first 19 days and many more after as I recovered in a different location. The daily photo uploads of my son kept me going. I am forever grateful.
Great App!
I used this app while my son was in the NICU and it was so helpful! The nurses sent us pictures and updates every morning and evening and made us feel looped in. Loved having it as an access point for communication and tracking.
Lovee
Nothing is better than getting pictures and positive updates from your NICU baby while you’re at home. You can get updates from the nurses too. This app was helpful for me when my baby was born premature at 32 weeks
