Agree with Helen Woodman - I havew the impression that cot cards are used
less and less in UK hospitals. They're not needed, as if staff need to know
how baby is fed,  they can ask the mother or check the notes if she's not
awake, or if the baby is separated from the mother (in NICU for example).
Cot cards are too often used as a marketing tool, and they often were until
our hospitals stopped using them. Why should our new babies be used to
advertise anything - whether it's formula (esp. if it's formula), nappies,
frozen peas,  banking services, cars, the local wholefood restaurant....?

I also think there is an issue of confidentiality here.  There will always
be a few mothers who don't actually want their visitors to know how they
are feeding, breast or bottle, and prefer to choose who they tell.  That's
their business.  Cot cards here used to proclaim method of delivery, too -
'SVD' and 'C sect'.  As well as being no one's business but the mother's,
hospital terminology written on the card can mystify and even worry some
women. In my parenting advice columns, I have had letters from women who
wonder why their babies had SVD on their cards (spontaneous vaginal
delivery, in case anyone out there is wondering!) and the other query is
'Konakion' with a tick beside it. Konakion is a branded Vit K supplement,
but how is Ms nonHP going to know that?

Yep - out with crib cards!

Good to hear of the 'Milk In'  in Washington!  Sounds a great idea. It's
amazing and reassuring that the US is managing to talk about something
other than B*** C****** and 'that woman'!!!

Heather Welford Neil
NCT bfc Newcastle upon Tyne UK