Jay , after reading your experience with your friend's baby in the NICU I felt
like screaming myself. I am very lucky to be dealing with 2 neonatologists who
are pretty baby and mother friendly. They actually encourage Kangaroo because
of the documented benefits to mom, baby and LACTATION. They encourage moms to
express as soon as possible and do treat the moms breastmilk as the gold that
it is.Even though it is never perfect I feel good about their support to
breastfeeding on an overall basis. I gave a big inservice to the NICU nurses
the other day about breastfeeding the preemies and sick babies and he
encouraged all of our NICU nurses to "listen with an open mind because we must
do what is best for the babies and the moms" Next week I am inservicing on
alternative feeding methods to raise everyones skill and comfort level so that
we can avoid too many gavages when babes are past that stage and mom is not
around for a breastfeed. He made the inservice MANDATORY!  Not all neos are of
the kind Jay describes. We need more like mine out there.
Jane Ciaramella IBCLC
White Plains,NY