As many of you know, I do work with asylum babies, and their Mums, in 
detention centres in the UK. This month, we've had a 12 week old baby, 
formula fed for medical reasons, who had been experiencing severe gastro 
since being detained in the compound.  Baby had gone from the 98th 
percentile to the 75th, in just under 4 weeks detention.

Baby was finally prescribed elemental formula, by a paediatrician on the 
outside, via the NHS, and then returned to the compound with one tin of 
it, and instructions for the medical authorities within the compound to 
provide more.

Yarl's Wood allowed the prescription to run out, with the result that 
the baby was not fed for over 18 hours.  Oral hydration fluids were 
given in the 18 hours, but no food/formula at all.  (Mother actually 
told to feed either boiled water with sugar, or oral hydration fluids if 
she wanted them!  Hydration sachets only handed over after Huge Fuss On 
Phone.)

United Kingdom Borders Agency have stated that yes, this is correct, but 
that it is not an inadequate standard of care.  Clearly, there are those 
of us who disagree!

It occurred to me last night, pondering how to break down their wall of 
"everything is satisfactory" that oral hydration, apart from being 
calorie light, is also fat free... and therefore I wondered if anyone 
knew of any articles or resources, stating the negative effects of the 
lack of fat in the infant diet.

I know this is a long shot, as this is one of those areas there is 
unlikely to be much written, or published, research.  After all, a baby 
suddenly going without food for this amount of time, but being hydrated, 
would be a rare thing to find.  I can't see where and how it might fit 
into research!  On the other hand, the need for adequate fats and sugar 
in the infant brain on a regular basis, is something well covered.  So, 
I wondered if anyone could come up with any studies that might help 
batter down the walls of "yes, we agree the baby didn't get fed for 18 
hours, but this isn't a problem at all as it got hydration fluids 
instead."  They are not listening to expert opinion, so I'm looking for 
published works that make it clear that not feeding a baby for 18 hours, 
is Not A Good Thing.  (Isn't it just appalling, I'm even having to make 
the request?)

In the same vein, but in a different location.. absolutely delighted 
that Australia has completely turned around on this, and is no longer 
detaining babies and children in secure and far flung compounds.  Or any 
asylum seekers at all, actually, unless they are a proven threat.  
Totally overjoyed, in fact, that babies are no longer going to be locked 
up in compounds in Australia!  Here's hoping we get a similar break 
through here.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gZv6k7UYiUQUK6nwWf0qkJj28FGwD927D6I80

Morgan Gallagher

ps - baby and mother now out of YW, and being supported in the community.





No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com 
Version: 8.0.138 / Virus Database: 270.5.7/1581 - Release Date: 7/30/2008 6:56 AM

             ***********************************************

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome