Hi, Katie,

The method of tube feedings and assessment that you describe was very
appropriate for your child's situation.  You want to aspirate stomach contents
before the next feeding so you can ascertain whether the milk instilled the
feeding before has been digested.  If it hasn't, and you keep pouring more
milk down the tube, the baby's abdomen is going to get distended and/or the
infant is going to regurgitate.  An indwelling tube is also appropriate when
the transition from tube feedings to breastfeeding is being made.  What I took
issue to was the INSERTION of a tube after a breastfeeding.  I would
definitely barf if someone stuck a tube down my throat right after I ate!

It sounds like Elliot was in a great NICU, and got the kind of transition from
tube feedings to breastfeeding that Paula Meier has researched and described
so well.  I would love to be an LC in a place like that.  Then I wouldn't have
all these bruises on my forehead from banging my head against the wall.  :-)

Kim

Kim Block  RNC, MSN, IBCLC
Westfield, NJ  (suburb of NYC, where we broke the all time record for December
at 75
                                        degrees F.  Now the wind is blowing and the temperature is dropping)
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