I am pleased to say that at the teaching hosp in my area, babies in the NICU are generally encouraged to breastfeed very early. The institution is also quite williing to send a 34 weeker under 4#8oz to the nl NBN and D/C the next day!! Of course the infant presented in the health dept. fairly jaundiced and not latching on well. At least the mother had the sense to get help early. The baby is now almost 4mos old and totally breastfed-a little small but appropriate. That baby was spared many unnecessary procedures and risk of infection by being D/C early with careful followup in the community. When I worked at a private hosp that infant would have been admitted to the NICU/SCN without a second thought. Gene Cranston Anderson had obviously lasting influence here.:)--Diane