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> From:
> To: lactnet <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: hospital/responsibilities and negligence
> Date: Friday, March 19, 1999 7:52 AM
>
> {How do you spell
> > Aaarrrrgggg!?}
>
> Depends on how upset you are.  Personally I always use all caps!
>
> >She says she'll get the pediatricians to order "may
> > bottle or finger-feed at night" or something similar whenever she feels
> it
> > is advisable.
>
> The main cue here is whenever SHE FEELS.  Can she document the need, not
> the feelings?
>
>   We are keeping a list of the moms who call back with babies who have
> > been supplemented in the hospital and are having problems at the breast
> > once they get home.
>
> Excellent idea.  You also need a column for the ones who are supp and
have
> no problems.  They are sort of the control group.
> You need to be able to say x % had problems because of hosp supps.  (Like
> 50 babies supp this mo.  35 called with problems = 70 % having problems
> after being supp.)
>
> We also give every BF family a log sheet to record
> > feeds, wet diapers and stools from discharge until the 1st wt check at
> the
> > peds office, and are explaining the importance of being sure the baby
is
> > getting milk.This issue is causing a great deal of stress on the job
for
> > all of us.
>
> The issue of intake and output is key and crucial.  Sorry it upsets the
> staff!  But it is absolutely essential and I personally feel the hospital
> is NEGLIGENT if a mom goes home NOT knowing how to assess this.  We can't
> turn these new moms out in 24-48 hours and not give them tools to use.
> Parents need to know that intake and output is  essential to their baby's
> survival.
> Remember Chris Mulford's list of what mom needs to know.
> 1. How to get baby on and off so it doesn't hurt.
> 2. How to know if baby is getting enough.
> 3. Who to call if you have ANY questions about 1 & 2.
>
> Unfortunately in the US we are not set up for prompt follow-up for all
> sorts of stupid reasons (mostly concerning insurance and money).  Babies
DO
> NOT need to be sacrificed on these particular altars of ignorance.
Please
> feel free to share what I have written with your supervisors.  Sincerely,
> Pat in SNJ
>
> P.S. giving supp without documentation is presecutable.  Certainly reason
> for dismissal.
>