The mother who called a few weeks ago to complain to me about the doctor who
wanted to hospitalize her new infant if the bilirubin hit 12 called me again
to complain about sudden nipple pain.  After listening to her description and
history I felt they probably had thrush.  She took the baby to the same
doctor and yes he said the baby had thrush and order the appropriate
precription of nystatin suspension for the baby with proper instruction BUT
GET THIS ONE, he told the mother to stop breastfeeding for 5 days and use
vaseline on her sore nipples.  Luckily she was smart enough not to listen but
not assertive enough to tell him he'd do well to learn something about
breastfeeding.  He also told the mother she should supplement with abm "to
make sure the baby gets enough"  vitamins and minerals and stuff, not because
of any weight  gain problem.  I did send him some articles and information
about Jaundice with a very nice letter but I neve heard anything from him so
I don't know if he even read it or if was angry to even hear from me.  I
would like to send him now something about the treatment of thrush and about
the use of vaseline.  Wouldn't such a product serve to keep moisture on the
nipple skin and allow it to continue to grow??   Any suggestions for what to
send him and how to word another letter nicely would be appreciated.  I was
thinking about sending him some documented cases that have occurred when
educated moms are now beginning to sue uneducated doctors who  mismanage care
and interfere with the benefits of breastfeeding.  Does anybody think this is
either a bad or a good idea?  Liz B. are you out there?
I want to respond to everybody about the outcome of "my bad day", but it's
not over yet and I'm too exhausted to continue any longer tonight.  In the
meantime I don't want to sign off without telling everyone how much I
appreciated the responses.
Jill Meltzer, R.N.
WIC