Just when you think things are going OK....

Mom of a 34 weeker born on Tuesday (2/6), 4.5 pounds; on room air, IVs for
???, no meds, no duskiness, no apparent problems called me last night.  (I
worked with her with last two babies - 2nd one born at 32 weeks; bf him at
3#9oz -- never received any bottles, just gavage and breast -- was told by
the neonatal nurse practitioner at this hospital (she's new there), that

1)  The baby must get bottles to make sure he can suck & swallow correctly,
and must be on them for at least 2 full days before she can attempt to bf.

2)  Nipple confusion is a myth.  Any mother that REALLY wants to bf can,
regardless of the number of bottles the baby has had, she just has to be
persistent.

3)  Breastfeeding is too tiring for preterm babies

4)  The order from the neo, "oral feeds" means bottle feeding, not
breastfeeding.

The mom called me in tears. She is willing to do weights before & after
feeds, is boarding at the hospital, and then gavage the baby after the bf.
 Her other two had NO bottles until they were 6 months old, and her 32 weeker
was born only 18 months ago.  The NP told her there was new research out, but
this mom didn't know what research was new in the last 18 months that
precludes preterm babies from bf.  And, of course, she is vulnerable.  The NP
was gone when she called me last night -- suggested mom talk to the neo
herself and get the orders specific to bf.  I WILL followup.  I'm furious; my
BP was skyrocketing....  Why DO some health professionals INSIST on making bf
as difficult as possible for moms -- ignoring the literature -- wanting to be
in control -- I'm LIVID!  (Can you tell??)

Sigh.... more anon....

Jan B.