Dear Kathleen,
Most medications given in hospitals do not require a specific consent, as
this is covered under the "blanket" consent that is signed upon
admission. Maybe framing the giving of artificial nipples and baby
formulas more as an "invasive procedure" (with accompanying
risks/benefits) would be the way to work toward requiring specific
consent before a baby would be the recipient of any of these. Of course,
as with so many things in the world of health care, the receiving of
consent doesn't mean it's truly "informed" and that opens up another
whole can of worms!
Lynn Wickberg