Yes, the US health system needs LOTS of improvement when in comes to newborn follow-up, especially in the breastfeeding dyad.  I made an LC home-visit this week where the 5 day old baby had lost about 15% of her below average (5'11") birth weight.  The parents could not believe that the pedi's office doesn't typically see newborns for 2 weeks.  Although there are a few large practices in our city who like newborns to come in 48 hours post hosp. discharge for a weight check -- again, the mom has to get up, get dressed, find childcare for older sibs, & drive or have someone drive her to the office. 

BTW, our midwife did the last four- six weekly prenatal visits in our home, attended the births, provided follow-up (in our home) at 24 hours, 48 hours and 5 days.  So it does happen sometimes, but not in mainstream care.

Warmly,
Dawn Martin, CD (DONA), IBCLC, RLC

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