G'day
I've just logged on to Lactnet again after being away most of this year.
For those who don't remember me my name is Denise Fisher and I live in
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.  I'm a registered midwife and IBCLC and am
working as an LC in a small hospital on the outskirts of Brisbane which
delivers about 100 to 120 babies a month.  It's a great job and I am really
well supported by most of the midwives who work in the unit.  Ongoing
funding for my position is my only real problem at the moment.
Anyway, back to my query - mastitis.  We have two delightful paediatricians
whose knowledge of breastfeeding may not be all I'd hope, but they refer
everything to me anyway without any hassles, so I can't complain.  One of
them said that he was seeing more mastitis now in the mums feeding prem
babies and he feels it's because of the 'finish the first breast before
offering the second' management we teach.  He feels 10x10 never gave him so
many problems with mastitis.  He'd like references. Can anyone help with a
mastitis article which specifies predisposing factors - particularly with
references that would be respected by the medical profession (you know what
I mean)?
Second problem is from the other paed who is questioning a statement I have
made (?borrowed) in my 'Consent to Supplement' form.  I don't have it with
me but it goes something like - one bottle of formula can affect the
protective affect of the breastmilk in baby's bowel for up to a month.  I
have the reference about the pH and lactobacillus taking up to a month to
normalise again, but I had the feeling sIgA also took quite some time to
undo the damage done.  Is this right and if so please send me, yet another
'respectable' reference for it.
Thanks
Denise in Brisbane where summer has finally decided to make an appearance