The concern over introducing latex to a newborn is one I have had for
sometime.  At our institution in Northern San Diego we carry non-latex gloves
for those few times we feel it is necessary to do an oral suck assessment. I
am hoping we all realize the implications of foreign allergens and their
timely or not-so-timely meeting with a new little babe.
  I understand a few hospitals have changed over to only non-latex gloves,
quite a committment to patients and their staff.  I remember our materials
rep. said one box of non-latex was about four times as expensive as the
regular latex.  Now we had a discussion about glove use about five years  ago
here on lactnet-one of our LCs uses non-latex gloves for every contact
touching mom or baby. I cannot say I use gloves every time, but when I do
they are non-latex.
At our hospital orientation Latex is discussed and they share a story about
an O.R. nurse who was aware of her latex allergy and was very careful...but
one day after a case, the surgeons pulled off their gloves only to have the
latex powder heavy in the air, which she inhaled, then quickly went into
anaphylactic shock, only to die.  This is worth a lot of thought.
Anne Williams RN BSN IBCLC Tri-City Medical Center Oceanside, Ca.
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