>>Has anyone read the study in Pediatrics, Sept 01 by Dr. Lucas etal
regarding the significant growth differences attributed to former premies
fed
"preterm" formula vs. standard ABM or breastfed? I can only get my hands on
the abstract (in the immediate sense) and would like to know, among other
things, how the study defined "premies" and "breastfed". I had a rather
unpleasant conversation with a neonatologist of an area level 2 nsy who
became very indignant about my question of her recommendation to all of "her
low birth wt. discharges" ie. under five pounds and irrespective of their
degree of prematurity, to "only breast feed once or twice per day until
term". She doesn't want them breastfed any more frequently because not only
is it "more work" but "this study shows that they won't grow properly". <<
Hi all,
Above is a copy of an email sent to lactnet in October. I received some
great
responses and along that vein I'd like to update you on a success story that
I'm currently working on.
As you may know I see Moms and babies through my work as a VNA nurse and
have been following a set of twins that fit nicely into the category
described above. They were 34-35wkrs, are now 17days old and were d/c'd with
their mother at 5days post c/s on largely bottle fds of EBM and ABM (20cal).
First VNA visit on day 6 (not be me) found them to be bottle fdng well w/
occ. att at breast and weight of 5-12 and 3-15, respectively. Next visit (by
me),6 days later wts. were 6-5 and 4-8, (great wt.gain). Mom was especially
excited to have an RN/LC as she was wondering how/when to increase the
brfdng., she received no clear d/c guidance from hosp or pedi office.( Pedi
office instructed to keep doing what you're doing-its working! ) After
assisting with latch ETC...., I left Mom w/ plan to increase brfdng as
babies
were very adept, the smaller baby better than the larger and when suppmting,
try to provide largely with EBM. Yesterday's visit, 6 days later, found the
babies largely brfed with occ. suppmt during night (Mom still very tentative
about tandem fdng), suppmt largely EBM and wt. gains of.......9 and 11oz.
respectively, for each baby, BETTER than when they were largely bottle fed.
This is especially significant as it is at the beginning of their learning
curve ie. they are expected to get even more proficient at brfdng! I helped
again with the tandem feeding and because of her improved technique, Mom
feels much better about using it, especially with her husband's help during
the night. I will see them again in a week.
I plan on forwarding this to the neonatologist above. Unfortunately, these
babies were not in her NICU (obviously as the mother was confident in her
ability to provide for these babies and was open to my input ; )! ) and
although it is only 1 case, it will hopefully plant the seed that yes-with
appropriate f/u and assistance, breastmilk/fdng alone can provide for this
"at risk" population.
Lynn Shea Rn,Bsn,Ibclc
Franklin,Massachusetts
***********************************************
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
|
