June, this is a new one: stomach washing of newborns to eliminate mucous.
Is this the same as when a nurse tells parents that bottles of formula or
water is needed to bring up the mucous?
Now, think about this everyone.  Would we advocate to a fresh post-op patient
to drink something that would make them vomit because they were feeling
nauseous?  I don't think so!  So why would we want to induce vomiting in a poor
newborn who is just trying to adjust to their new world?
Newborns are not meant to drink large volumes of fluid in the first few days.
 That is why colostrum is thick and in small quantities.  When someone is
nauseated they do want small sips that moisten their mucous membranes and satisfy
some of the thirst but they are not taking in large quantities.
Why will a newborn sometimes take in 1-3 oz of formula?  Because the bottle
is like a funnel to them.  There are so many old bad practices out there and
they are difficult to educate on what is correct.
June, please ask the person who mentioned stomach washing to show you their
scientific research that is what a newborn needs.  I'd love to see it.
Ann Perry RN, IBCLC
Boston, MA

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