Kathy-
At our hospital, we do not have a policy to keep infants NPO prior to circs.
We do have one MD who requests it at times.  It is however, sensible to NOT
feed large volumes just prior to the procedure as some infants cry a lot, and
regurg at the procedure, thus running the risk of aspiration. We just try to
have them feed a little while before, then take them right back to mom for
consoling/nursing after the procedure.
Regarding glucose sticks-we do not do them on ALL babies. We have a written
protocol, as most nurseries do, citing the indicators for glucose sticks.
Hypoglycemia protocols also run the gamut of simple to cumbersome and
complex, depending on the institution and medical staff.  We do know that
nearly all newborns have a drop in blood glucose in the first hour of life,
and then it gradually recovers. Some will be symptomatic, and some not. Those
with a profoundly low level will require intervention, as some infants of
diabetic mothers, premies, etc. Manyt will not. The question remains: where
do you draw the line? How low is too low? Any of you who happen to have
participated on the NeoNet may remember an interesting discussion we had some
months back on this very issue, with every MD, NNP, RN with a different view!

Denise Mollenkopf, RNC, IBCLC
Florida