I had a call from a Mother who delivered one week ago and must surrender her
child to the Dept of Social Services to be placed in foster care  for at
least one week while an investigation is made into some issues not involving
her parenting, however this must be done. The hearing is tomorrow AM. A
preliminary hearing was held last Thursday at which time the judge ordered
the Mother to contact an IBCLC and get a judgement that it would be OK for a
bfing baby to be away from  the  mother for one week at one  week of age
without any risks to the baby or mother, including nipple confusion,
engorgement or mastitis. I have testified in front of this judge before and
found her to be very pro bfing. I told the mother I could not write a letter
to the court or testify that there  would not be any risks to the bfing
relationship with this separation at this age. That I could  write a letter
or testify if necessary  that indeed there are risks associated with this
type of separation.
Isn't this an odd request on the part of the judge? Does anyone disagree with
me?  This almost sounds like the judge wants me to provide  testimony
against the DSS decision. This judge has heard me testify in custody hearings
before but involving older babies and parental custody.
Any thoughts? Can any of you guarantee this baby will not suffer any ill
effects from this DSS order?

Barbara Whitehead, IBCLC
Ayden NC

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