This topic has been mentioned before, about hospitals being reluctant to use an object for some purpose other than the most common. Now I am wondering: what procedures are in place for approval of devices such as the Niplette, which is simply a syringe with a nipple-shaped bell attached? Does the manufacturer have to show that they are both safe and effective, before they can be sold to anyone who wants one? They obviously don't have to do so for nipple shields, which at least in Norway are sold with absolutely no information about how to apply them correctly, or what indications they should be used for, and what the contraindications and cautions are. Would a hospital that uses nipple shields for any reason, be worried that they are liable if the shields lead to premature weaning, or mastitis, or ulcerative lesions on the breast (all of which I have observed after what an IBCLC would consider inappropriate use of shields - no follow up, no guidance, no documentation)? They should be, but I don't see them tightening up availability of shields out there. Guess as long as they are put on nipples, it's nobody's responsibility whether the outcome is bad! Single-use syringes are available without a prescription. What instructions come with them? Any at all? Does it say anywhere on the package that they are only for use with hypodermic needles, so that you ought not to give babies oral liquid medications with them either? And why are these hospitals not worried about the use of potentially dangerous drugs for other-than-approved uses? Misoprostol is used to induce labor, even though it is only approved for treatment of gastric ulcers, and the manufacture has stated unequivocally that they accept no liability for complications arising from other uses of the drug. Are there any cases of uterine rupture and fetal death after using a syringe as a home-made nipple everter? I am just curious. Rachel Myr *********************************************** 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(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html