Hi everyone,
    This post came at exactly the right time for me, because yestarday we 
introduced a new hypoglycmia policy that is very breastfeeding friendly. I was 
so excited to work on it and get such wonderful support from the clin specs 
who were writing it.
     First, stop the blood sugar from dropping in the first place. Our new policy 
states all babies should be skin to skin with mom immediately after birth. We 
no longer screen every baby- only those that are at risk and symptomatic. 
The policy also states to use a heal warmer first before the test(babies are 
acrocyanotic right after birth and the heal warmer helps get a more accurate 
sugar and prevents false lows). If 25-45, baby may breastfeed and sugar 
checked 30 minutes after feed. If still lo, supplemented with 3-5cc/kg of 
formula or colostrom with any alternative feeding method. Babies below 25 and 
synptomatic are then transferrred to our scn for IV therapy.
    I believe we will have very few babies reaching the supplementing part with 
skin to skin and a first breastfeeding.
    Policy goes into affect this summer. I'll let you know how things go.
Ellen, hospital LC  in very rainy Maryland

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