First I apologize for my quick response to the group when someone brought
up switching babies to the wrong mothers to be fed. Without reading the
article completely I responded about "child abduction". However many of you
great folks wrote me asking what we do differently and what I discuss in my
prenatal classes, I hope you all don't mind I send it to the whole group. I
haven't quite figured out how to reply to you all quickly and I don't have
a lot of time. I hope also that the list Mothers don't mind this non
breastfeeding issue presented here if we don't discuss it too long.

Even though it was over 4 years ago I guess I am still hypersensitive.
This mother who's child was taken in our hospital, had at the time, baby
rooming in with her. She had been officially discharged but was waiting for
me to come from my home to help her with breastfeeding difficulties. While
she went to the washroom and keeping the door slightly ajar, someone came
in dressed in a hospital coat and name tag, stating she had to take her
baby for an Xray. Mom was a bit weak, with a very low Hemaglobin after PP
hemorrhage. Arm bands were on. Baby was wrapped in a hospital blanket and
tucked in a regular backpack after she left the floor.

-although no one should transport babies in the hall of our hospital
without them being in their own cot this mom's room was the last room down
the hall by the exit.

The "abductor" of this infant completely fitted the description presented
to us by "The National Centre for Missing & Exploited Children"
1-800-843-5678. A booklet can be obtained by calling this number.

The changes our hospital made were;
- TV monitor access only to our combined Maternal Child unit which houses
nursery, pediatrics and post partum.Only those medical personal who work in
this area have card access all others must ring a bell. Nursery has its own
private code access door for medical personal only.
- All hospital staff who are allowed to handle babies in our hospital have
the usual name tag but have an added teddy bear on the top of it. Xray and
Lab personal must ask permission and generally do their procedures by the
mother's bed side.
- instead of 3 band identafication, we use a four band; 2 for baby, one for
mother and one for a significant other or most important person. Usual band
check is enforced for all personal but mistakes could still happen if
things get busy and frantic.
- hospital tours include discussion about infant security.
- admission to LD or PP includes infant security discussion.
- decreased visiting hours to "only immediate family day or evening which
includes grandparents of infant(or other pre-autherized support individual)
and fathers only during the day time. General visitors between 6:30 pm and
8:00 pm only)
- all visitors are asked to sign in and out when they visit
{Fort Knox may not be as secure but the long term emotional stress to all
concerned even though the baby was found and returned within 24 hours, was
phenomenal}

- a large poster with a teddy bear on the top (not the Ross logo) with
instructions to all parents is promantly displayed everywhere.
        It states: Dear Mom and Dad,
                You can keep me safe by:
                making sure my care givers have proper ID
                Never leaving me alone in the room
                Knowing where I am at all times.
                Pull call bell IMMEDIATELY if you have any questions about my           safety or
where I am.
                                        Thanks

These are the things I also discuss in my private prenatal classes as well
as suggesting to parents who go to another hospital other than to the one
where I work that someone go with their baby, be it mom or dad or a grand
parent, if baby should have to go off the floor for a procedure. I even
stress that babies should be closely watched even in shopping malls, stores
or doctor's offices. Don't turn your back on the car seat or carriage.
Potential abductors usually follow and watch before they take a child.

This is a very difficult topic but non the less vital. If I have forgotten
anything or haven't answered all your questions please email me privately
again.

Attie Sandink RN. IBCLC. JBMH. Burlington, Ontario


However because I had so many pop;