Thanks to all who continue to assist me in my research project. I am
interested in getting some feedback from the health professionals, and
particularly physicians on the list on
these scenarios:

Scenario 1: Pregnant mother tells OB, OB-floor nurses and Pediatrician
that she
intends to breastfeed. This intention is clearly noted in her chart at
admittance to hospital to give birth. She does not, however, expressly
state that her baby is to receive no bottles or other artificial nipples.
Healthy infant is delivered and while in nursery for shift change, tests
or whatever, baby is given glucose water. Baby subsequently refuses to
latch on or nurse. Mother becomes upset and frustrated and starts
bottlefeeding while still in the hospital. Despite her stated intention to
breastfeed, no health professional offers assistance in latch-on, etc. No
one refers her to LLL or a lactation consultant.


Scenario 2: Pregnant woman sees OB for prenatal care. The OB never asks
her whether she intends to breastfeed or offers an opinion either way.
Mother thus infers that the two feeding choices are "equal".

Scenario 3: Breastfeeding mother of newborn brings baby to pediatrician
for  one week checkup. Healthy baby has lost 8 ounces. Pediatrician
advises supplementing baby with formula. Mother is not advised that this
may lead to breastfeeding difficulties.


Scenario 4:Pediatrician recommends feeding breastfed newborn on a four
hour schedule. Also recommends pacifier use. Mother begins to have supply
problems as she strictly adheres to doctor's recs. Baby begins losing
weight. Doctor recommends supplementing. Baby subsequently refuses to
latch on and breastfeeding is terminated.

Scenario 5: Pediatrician tells mother at well-baby check-up that there is
no reason to breastfeed a baby past six months of age.

Scenario 5: Pediatrician advises mother to wean her breastfed baby at
twelve months because he should be drinking cow's milk from a cup and
eating solids at this age.

Scenario 6: Couple has lost one baby to SIDS. Pediatrician doesn't advise
them to breastfeed their new baby.

MY questions are:

1.) Do any of these behaviors on the part of dr, nurse, hospital
constitute medical negligence?
2.)Is the standard of lactation knowledge so abysmally low among American
health care providers that they are not failing to meet peer-comparable
standards in these scenarios (poorly worded question, but I hope you get
the gist of what I am asking)


Please e-mail me with all input.

Thanks-

Katie Allison Granju
University of Tennessee College of Law
Knoxville, TN
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