Alweri’s story

La Leche League Leader Alweri’s story of low blood sugars

(July 2025)

I am a South African living in Germany. My baby daughter (now 9 months) arrived at 41 weeks and weighed 4,8kg. Directly after the birth, the hospital recommended observations for 48 hours at the neonatal clinic (a different section in the hospital) because she weighed more than 4,5kg and her blood sugar level and temperature had to be checked. This meant separation from me and not the best start for breastfeeding. They tried to sugar-coat the separation, by saying one parent could stay with her (meaning dad, because I would be in recovery after an unplanned caesarean, and he wouldn’t be there all the time because we also have a toddler) and also saying I could go and cuddle and nurse as often as I like - as if walking back and forth in the hospital is easy and no problem.

I immediately felt stressed and numb (not just from the meds) because I realised I would have to now stand my ground. I asked if there was really a need or if it was just a precaution. The hospital staff said it was just a precaution. I then asked if they could do the sugar checks at my bed; they said it was a possibility and then left us to think about it. Luckily the midwife on duty was totally encouraging me to say “no”. We then informed the young, female doctor  (who didn't push back too much) that we wanted our baby to stay with me and that they do the checks at my bed.

The staff then came and checked my baby's temperature and sugar for 48 hours, while she was in my arms or next to me. All was fine; no fever, no low blood sugar AND we could bond and breastfeed to our hearts desire. It is so crazy to think that the one thing that would actually help to prevent low blood sugars (skin-to-skin care) is what they wanted to deprive the baby of. She was the biggest baby ever in the recovery station - because all the other big ones got checked in at the neonatal clinic. 

I will forever be thankful to LLLSA and the up-to-date information shared, as that saved me and my baby from trauma, stress and a potentially detrimental start to our breastfeeding journey. I also have to thank the LLLSA Leader/s who guided me through spoon-feeding her every 1.5 hours throughout the 2nd night so she could gain the (only 10%) weight she lost after birth, as they already started threatening top-up formula feeds. The continuous support and encouragement throughout those first few weeks and a bout of mastitis was invaluable. All mothers, even if you are a Leader yourself, need and benefit from the amazing support LLLSA has to offer.