Elyse writes about the NICU she works on:

' we have holding policies related to weight.  It is an
antiquated theory, but that's what we are dealing with.  Also, in our unit,
babies are always given their first po feedings via volufeeder and nipple
(even if it is EBM). '

Do I understand this to mean the mother is not allowed to hold her baby
until the baby reaches a certain weight???? And that the first feeds *have
to be via a bottle* ?????

It must be so difficult  for Elyse and colleagues trying to support and
encourage bf under those circumstances, which we know militate against
success (and I might add surely interfere with the mother and baby's human
rights) . Yes, I can understand why a nipple shield may sometimes appear to
start to undo some of the harm. But the shield would *not* come  into the
equation if bf had been properly supported.

I would worry - I *do* worry - about any baby, pre-term or full-term,
discharged from hospital and bf with a nipple shield. There are problems
down the line.....

Heather Welford Neil
NCT bfc Newcastle upon Tyne UK