Heather,
I still see this at the bedside sometimes, a baby with 8-10% weight
loss, 3 days postbirth, looking scrawny and jaundiced...only to find
MOB has been doing the "5 and 5" thing due to sore nipples.  The
combination of ineffective latch/positioning and limiting the infant's
time at breast causes even more problems.  It is very frustrating since
it is entirely preventable with simple education.  Had one of these
just the other night <heavy sigh>.

LC's who encounter situations like this would benefit from a soundproof
room so we can go in and scream our heads off from time to time...

Just my 2 cc's,
Carole Jernigan
RN, BSN, IBCLC

> Date:    Tue, 13 Apr 2004 12:12:20 +0100
> From:    heather <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: Weight loss question
>
> I don't get it.
>
> Newborn babies who lose more than they 'should' (and that needs some
> defining...how much is all right?) are showing they need to take in
> more calories.
>
> OK.
>
> Why do some HCPs insist these 'more calories' should come from
> formula...as a first choice?
>
> Why can't the calories come from breastmilk - preferably direct if
> the milk transfer from mum to baby is good and frequent, day and
> night, and if not, ebm?
>
> This is the case, whether or not the birthweight has been artifically
> 'inflated' by IV fluids. If the baby signals  (by his weight loss) he
> needs more, then of course he should get more.
>
> I speak to many mothers weeks and months beyond the newborn stage
> whose experience and confidence is deeply affected by early
> supplementation, not to mention the physiological impact on the milk
> supply.
>
> HCPs who only see mothers in the newborn period really don't see the
> end result of their recommendations. We know from our UK stats that
> babies who are supplemented in the hospital (even once) are far more
> likely to be fully formula fed at two weeks old.
>
>
> Heather Welford Neil
> NCT bfc, UK
>





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