I've had a discussion with a nurse a couple of nurses a few times who often 
recommend giving artificial milk to an infant who has a low temp. I do not 
feel that this is an appropriate intervention. The situation today was a 
newborn in well baby nursery weighing 5 lbs 13 oz and with a temp axillary 
of 94-94 F. The baby was put skin to skin with mother according to the nurse 
and had bf very well according to the nurse. The baby was reported to be 
term, but the chart said 36 wks when I looked it up. At this point the baby 
was in the nursery and swaddled tightly in a bassinet. Now I have never seen 
our nurses use true skin to skin (clothing is not removed from baby or mom), 
and I did not personally evaluate the bf (this ped does not allow me to see 
'his' pts), but the nurse asked for my input. First, I do not see how a cold 
baby can be warmed up by wrapping him up. I felt it was more a function of a 
preterm baby needing a heat source: continous skin to skin, or even an 
incubator if mom or dad not able to do it - but is there any indication for 
giving artificial milk or glucose to 'warm the baby up?' I would appreciate 
the comments of a neonatal specialist especially.

Laurie Wheeler, IBCLC, MN, RN - level 3 nicu nurse in a former life and not 
totally clueless
New Orleans Louisiana, s.e. USA

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