I've been reading about the Waterford couple charged with involuntary manslaughter after their 7-month-old baby died. After the autopsy, it was said the little boy's death was a homicide, caused by "severe nutritional wasting due to neglect." You can read today's story, "Parents charged to death," here.
According to the story, the baby, and his twin brother, were born 10 weeks premature and weighed between 4 and 5 pounds when they went home from the hospital. Their weight increased through the first few months of their lives and in July, the baby who died, Nathan, weighed 7 pounds, 5 ounces. His brother weighed 8 pounds, 10 ounces.
Nathan died at 29 weeks old, weighing less than 6 pounds. His twin brother was removed from the home and hospitalized and he, as well as the boys' older brother, is now in the custody of the Erie County Office of Children and Youth.
When Autumn was born, I initially struggled with breastfeeding. When the hospital called to check on us two days after we went home, they told me she wasn't soiling enough diapers and I should come in for a consult. So I bundled her up and we hopped right in the car to go to the lactation center where the consultant helped me out with feeding her. Things then seemed to be doing well.
But after a few weeks, I thought my previously 9 pound baby was looking a little skinny. So I called for a weight check. Turns out she had only gained 3 ounces since our consultation. The lactation consultant watched me feed Autumn. She gave me some more tips on nursing my baby. Then she told me we needed to get Autumn some more food. She had me pump my milk after Autumn was done nursing and then feed whatever I pumped to her as well. Typically, this seemed to be an extra ounce. We did this until Autumn's weight got back on track. Soon she was plumping right up and ever since then has been in the 90th percentile for her age.
The lactation nurse says we are a success story. And I suppose we are. But ultimately, I think it just goes back to being a loving parent. I just felt that something wasn't right with Autumn's weight and I followed up on it.
It's just sad that this little baby boy who died didn't have anyone out there to watch out for him. I don't know if his young parents weren't emotionally ready to have children or what the issue is, but most certainly he deserved better. Babies need to eat, sleep and poop. They need a little love. They don't require much and before bringing them into this world, parents should be sure they can provide those basic needs. That's not responsible parenting. That's just responsible, period.