I work in a hospital that has about 2500 deliveries/year. Our exclusive
breastfeeding rate in the hospital is about 20-25%. I find unnecessary
supplementation a real issue.
Many of our moms come in wanting to "do both." (Feed both breast and
formula.) After speaking with some of these moms the "both" feedings come in after
returning to work or school. However, because they have breast and bottle
listed on their chart, they are sent out with bottles in their cribs. A
little education at the time of admission in L&D doesn't seem to be happening.
Recently our neonatologist has initiated a new protocol for infants of
gestational diabetics, both diet controlled and insulin dependent. These babies
are to get a feeding of formula upon admission to the nursery.
We also have a few pediatricians who tell the moms to supplement "until
their milk comes in." Sometimes it is because the baby "might get jaundice."
We have a rather large Russian population who believe in supplementing in
the hospital as they have "no milk." They have done this with all their other
children. Recently I asked one of these supplementing moms how long she had
nursed their other children. The answer was for about 2 months, as she did
not have enough milk. Ahh, the risks of early and frequent supplementation.
Judy H. RNC, IBCLC
Upstate NY
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