I try to stay lurking....I really do.  On the topic of A hospital
which refuses to store the milk of a mother with a history of
substance abuse in the event of accidental switching,  my carefully
prepared response can only be.....WHAT?

I think that this is nonsense.   They may as well refuse to store
medications. They could be accidentally switched.   They should
refuse to store formula, because it could be administered to a baby
with a severe allergy. What about self-directed blood donations, or
blood for that matter.   For crying out loud....they should refuse to
store babies....they have been switched too!

In my ongoing attempts to see things objectively (going really well
isn't it?) I can see where they are coming from.  This presents a
risk.  If the milk of an addicted mother was given to another baby,
then everyone involved could  be in deep trouble.  My point remains
that if you think that something important, then you accept and deal
with the risk.  Blood or medications for example.  Since Breastmilk
is not important (Arrgggh) then we can eliminate the risk by
eliminating the substance.

As an aside, in Ontario drug addiction is listed as a disability
under the Ontario Human Rights Code, then this would be considered
discrimination.  Especially if we are talking about a mother who is
no longer addicted, or in recovery....with only a "history" of
addiction.   Should her baby be punished for her past transgressions?

Ok,  I think I'm ok now.

fondly

Stephanie Pearl IBCLC
Toronto, Canada.