That baby who is breathing 80-100 times per minute needs to be evaluated
today with a careful exam, and probably a chest Xray and pulse-oximeter (to
check oxygen concentration in the blood). Many congenital heart conditions
aren't evident until the baby is a few days or even 2 weeks old, but he may
have a condition that needs fairly quick treatment. May turn out to be
nothing, but needs good evaluation.
I've been thinking about the idea of a surgeon general's warning on
artificial infant feeding. I think it would be helpful, if only because so
many moms have been lulled (by society, commercials, their friends, their
doctors...) into believing that formula feeding is a "lifestyle choice" and
that bottle feeding is not a risky proposition at all. If a parent had to
read a warning (as below) before mixing that first bottle of formula, I think
many would reconsider introducing formula.
SURGEON GENERAL'S WARNING:
Breastmilk is the best choice for infant feeding. The American Academy of
Pediatrics, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the
World Health Organization all recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first
six months of life. The introduction of this artificial feeding to your baby
vastly increases the chance of breastfeeding failure. Call a lactation
consultant before introducing this or any other artificial formula to your
infant. While this formula will allow most children to grow adequately, it
lacks many essential compounds which are found naturally in mother's milk.
Formula fed babies are more likely to have a variety of infections, and are
at increased risk for hospitalization, allergic diseases such as asthma and
eczema, SIDS, and cancer. Mothers who do not breastfeed have a higher risk of
breast and ovarian cancer, and osteoporosis. Formula feeding will be a major
household expense in the first year of your baby's life.
I know I'm dreaming with that wording, but seems to me that people should
know what they are getting into, and what they're missing out on!
Jennifer Cox, MD
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