Melissa,
You could continue assisting the parents on breastfeeding matters, while
documenting your concerns for the infant, and the fact that you
recommended a second opinion.  To my knowlege, low blood glucose does not
cause cyanosis (blueness), low blood OXYGEN does.  It is not uncommon for
babies to have persistence of fetal circulation to one degree or another,
and to turn blue during/after crying, feeding or otherwise exerting
themselves.  Things like patent foramen ovale will often resolve with
time.  Other conditions are more dangerous.  You are right to be
concerned.
        As health care professionals, we cannot force parents to make the
decisions we would make, or make them follow our recommendations.  It is
certainly frustrating, but we are being paternalistic if we refuse care
to those who disagree with something we say.  There are mothers in my
practice who smoke cigarettes, leave their babies for weekends away, and
make other choices I do not agree with.  I gently inform them of the
potential effects on the baby and the breastfeeding, then offer the
breastfeeding info and support they came for.  I don't know if you have
any legal status as a health care provider, but if you do, refusing to
have anything further to do with a patient can be construed as
abandonment, exposing you to a lawsuit.  If a healthcare professional in
my state feels they cannot effectively work with a patient they need to
warn the patient in writing, offer to treat the patient in emergencies
until the patient finds other care, and sometimes assist the patient in
finding alternate care.  This is different from saying "I think I have
done all I can for you, I would like to refer you to so and so who is
more experienced with situations like yours..."
        Basically what I am saying is that the interpersonal component of
this profession is as important as the technical.  It is difficult to
learn to bite one's tongue when one is angry, but it is an important
skill for LC's.  Hurtful words cannot be taken back, and will leave a bad
taste in the client's mouth for all LC's, and maybe for breastfeeding as
well.  I am not saying that any one of us is perfect, but acceptance and
gentleness are good qualities to cultivate...
--
Catherine Watson Genna, IBCLC  NYC  [log in to unmask]