In a message dated 11/11/98 4:26:09 PM Eastern Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

<< Any suggestions on how I can tactfully tell these people (who formula fed
 their kids, BTW) that just because she won't take the bottle doesn't mean
 she's not hungry? >>

Right!  This is a misconception that we need to be correcting with every
professional we reach.  Making a baby wait until very hungry does not make
him/her recognize the bottle as a source of food.  I had a frantic couple
burst into my office at 5 o'clock with their frantic baby.  Mom was to return
to work the next day and all their efforts had failed to get baby to take the
bottle.  They called the doctor's office and the nurse said: "Just wait.  When
the baby gets good and hungry she'll take the bottle."  Well, they tried it
and baby had refused to take the bottle for 9 HOURS!! She had been screaming
for most of that time.  They were all frantic after that terrible day.

I'm sorry but I'm becoming less tolerable of casual advice like that, given
from somebody who acts like they know what they are saying.  That is arrogant
and extremely nonprofessional.

The authoritarian nurse who gave the advice had not given any other
suggestions to help gentle the baby into the bottle.  We commonly spend 15
minutes on the phone or in class with moms on ways to gently get babies
introduced to the bottle and usually have wonderful results with happy moms,
babies, and sitter.
Never, never, let anyone suggest starving a baby into taking the bottle.  That
is cruel and totally unnecessary.

Jane Bradshaw RN, BSN, IBCLC
Lynchburg, VA
South-central VA, USA