Subject:                              Time:  7:06 PM
  OFFICE MEMO         congenital rectal obstruction??       Date:  2/29/96

This is in response to Melody Engberg's question about a ped doing an
unnecessary procedure on a 2 1/2 month old breastfed baby. I actually had to
sign off the computer and calm down.
It is very sad, indeed, for a physician, especially a pediatrician, to be
ignorant of the normal stooling pattern of a BF baby.  Sadder still is the
fact that he was not listening to the baby's mom, who felt that the baby was
comfortable. Yes, I have heard of similar misinformation; in those cases
suppositories or sugar water were suggested.  Nothing as intrusive as daily
rectal exams to "enlarge the rectum" was ever suggested.
At the very least, I would stay steer clear of this physician.  I would also
considering laying assault charges.  That poor baby had to endure 2 weeks of
the physician inserting a gloved finger in his rectum??  Excuse me, I still
need to calm down!!
Claire Goldberg, PHN, IBCLC, BScN
Edmonton, Alberta.