Jan,
A couple of days ago there was an article in The Los Angeles Times about early
discharge.  It seems that our largest HMO is considering going to an 8 hour
discharge policy.  There was mention TWICE  in the article that many
breastfeeding babies have not yet learned, along with their moms, how to latch
on in that amount of time.  It seemed to be a concern BUT not as great a
concern of keep health care costs down, so they could attract more members.
For now they will be trying the 8 hour discharge at their main location, which,
as it happens has a high population on lower socio-economic patients.  Those
are the very people who, IF they do decide to breastfeed, will be most at risk
with early discharge.

On one hand, they are doing out-patient surgeries and sending people home in a
few hours and I have strong feelings that child-birth has become too
medicalized but, what happens to the breastfeeding relationship.  If only they
would look at the total picture and see how much money could be saved if most
kids were breastfed - then discharged them from the hospital after a few hours
aafter-which WELL trained lactation experts would make home visits, how many
more dollars could be saved.  Not to mention how healthy most people would be.
Well, this is the first time on Lactnet that I've gotten on the soapbox.  I'll
get down now and let the rest of you crowd on.
Yaffa


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        Yaffa Stark, MA, IBCLC    Los Angeles, Calif., USA
        "We must identify and reduce barriers which keep women
       from beginning or continuing to breastfeed their infants."
       C. Everett Koop, M.D., ScD. Former Surgeon General
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