I work in a 59 bed NICU as a nurse and LC. We also have a problem with people
thinking that a baby needs to prove her self with a bottle befor
breastfeeding, but.... We have SOME very supportive Neos and have just
written a new policy that will get these special infants to breast for
atleast two weeks BEFORE a bottle gets near them. We are also starting a cup
feeding pilot program for parents who are interested in this alternitive
feeding method. Another thing that we do is get these tiny babies to breast
for non-nutritive suckling during gavage feedings and alot of skin-to-skin
holding with their moms (and dads).
We do phone follow-up on all of our breastfeeding families for 6 months post
discharge and if people think there is nothing to the nipple preference then
they need to call these moms and listen to them cry because they are still
pumping 4-6 months out and feeding with a bottle because nomatter what they
try the baby won't go to breast!!!! We are responsible for this. We, meaning
those who insist on the bottle first, set these mother/babies up for failure.
Change is slow, but we have made alot of progress, in our unit. I have found
it does help to back up what you say with research.

Kim S. RN, IBCLC
AZ