I was involved in a situation about 2 years ago where a 24 weeker had
been born at home (in the toilet) and it arrived to our unit breathing.  Eyes
were still fused,etc.  I had no argument about not intubating and
performing a full code on this baby (we are not a level 3 unit), however,I
took offense when the MD refused to even let the mother express breast milk
into the baby's mouth.  The baby lived and breathed on its own for 12 hours
and was even moving its lips as if to suckle (so it appeared), but the MD
adamantly requested this baby not to receive any nourishment.
 To me,care and comfort includes warmth, remaining in mother's arms, and
receiving
 breast milk.  I was quite upset by the situation and tactfully let the
mother know EBM would be OK, but in our community the MD is god.  Was there
some good reason why this baby couldn't receive EBM?  I figured if they
were afraid he would aspirate it wouldn't matter because withholding food
would kill him just as dead.  A drop of EBM on his tongue or lips would
hardly choke him.  He was so dehydrated.
 Still saddened, Kim Hansen, RN, BSN, IBCLC