Dear Lillian, I am a WIC LC in Harris County, TX (Houston). We are seeing 
many premies coming home on special formulas or moms being told they can not 
breastfeed at the breast due to low weight gain and the need for formula 
being added to bottles of human milk. We are getting alot more requests for 
special formulas. And the prescriptions are often for 9 months or more of 
special formulas. Some of these babies are very round and fat looking, too.

I do know that some of our nutritionists call the doctors' office and ask 
questions about the request for medically necessary formulas. So my 
suggestion is to have someone in your WIC office call the doctors and ask 
why the babies can not breastfeed. Always be nice and question nicely, not 
with attitude. I tend to use the line that the mother doesn't understand the 
instructions and we are just trying to help her out.

Due to privacy regulations, the doctor can not discuss medical issues with 
you but if it becomes a WIC issue due to formula needs, then they have to 
talk to you on this one matter. I am thinking of those situations where the 
doctor changes to a non-contract formula for constipation but Texas WIC 
doesn't allow it.

Also, our BF coordinator will send doctors a letter when we see situations 
of gross ignorance about breastfeeding.

Good luck, seems like feeding premies formula is the new frontier for 
formula companies.

Kathy Eng, BSW, IBCLC 

             ***********************************************

To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail
To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest)
To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
All commands go to [log in to unmask]

The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(R)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html