Hello Lactnetters, 
A dear friend gave birth March 30 to a 8lb15oz baby boy born after 4 hours of pushing.  Babe had a subarachnoid head bleed and started seizing within 12 hours.  Ended up in ICU then ward for three weeks while tests and r/o sepsis done.  Started on gavage feeds due to heavy sedation from phenobarbital and dilantin.  Home at 3 weeks of age.  Occupational therapist consulted and diagnosed "extreme disorganization with suck and swallow, but NOT nipple confused."  At each feed, babe offered breast first, then bottle if not 'doing well' at breast, then gavaged if not interested in or sucking well on bottle.  Before and after feeding weights done with mom pumping every three hours.  (Lots of equipment!) Finally taken off bottle feeds and every three hour schedule (last week) and starting to do really well at breast!
Point of story: when my friend called her insurer to see if they would cover the cost of pump rental she was told "NO way!  The pump was just for your convenience and you could have fed the baby formula!!!!!"  Aaarrrggghhh!  (Fortunately, they have other insurance which was happy to reimburse them!)
Ann Marie

Ann Marie Trebon, RN, BSN
Peninsula Lactation Services
Sequim, WA