Wise ones, I am involved now in bringing hosp staff up to date re bf practices as we have cert. of intent and need to move into implementing the 10 steps. Thursday, Sept 23 we will be beginning the process re revision of old, out of date policies. I have the model policies from Riordan & Auerbach BF and Human Lactation. The 3 policies cited are all very similar and state "infants should be encouraged to nurse at least every 2 to 3 hrs, for a min. of 8 fdgs every 24 hrs"; AND "time at the breast at each feeding should be approximately 10-15 minutes" AND "infants should feed from both breasts at all feedings". (I have the '93 edition in front of me; perhaps the newer edition is different?). This is contrary to what I teach and what I would recommend as policy. What would you all recommend? I have the Joint WHO/Unicef statement of 1989 which I feel is the ABSOLUTE BEST model. It addresses labor practices, unnec. medications and interventions very well. It addresses rooming-in very well and is the only place I've really seen the issue of colonization with family organisms and chance of resistant orgs when baby in central nursery. It states "the infant should be permitted to suck freely at the breast, frequenlty and w/o any fixed timetable." This is what I teach and I use the word "unrestricted." So second question is: Is there another statement more current than 1989? Or does this one still stand? And why would the other policies give the time frames? I feel this is where problems get started and interventions begin. Laurie Wheeler, RN, MN, IBCLC Violet Louisiana, s.e. USA ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com *********************************************** 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