Yesterday I saw my first Ezzo dehydration!!  The pediatrician called me, and
wanted his patient to get a pump, since baby had lost 14 oz since birth(5
days ago). Baby was born at 37 weeks gestation.  Baby was the color of a
carrot, and the diaper was full of uric acid crystals.  In the first few
sentences I picked up on their parenting method, when they used the words"
Parent led feeding," and "when the baby cries".  I asked how long does the
baby cry and they said about 35 minutes.  I asked them if they were
following a specific parenting technique, and yes they were.

As carefully as I could I told them all the things we know about parenting
and newborns, and that there are many types of parenting techniques.  ETC
etc.  Thanks to all of you who sent me Ezzo information two weeks ago, it
came in very handy today.

When the parents brought me the baby, they told me she had just had a bottle
of formula, and when we tried to latch on, the baby was not interested.
Mom's nipples are chewed and scabbed on the tip, and the baby has a bottle
suck.  I know my work is cut out for me.

Right after the parents left, the pediatrician called me back.  He had never
heard of the Ezzo's.  He wanted a succinct version, so I sent him the recent
Washington Post Article (Feb 27, 1999).  Additionally the baby's BUN and NA
levels were totally out of control, and the baby is now in the hospital with
IVs etc.  But improving!  Mom is pumping, and producing between 1-3 oz per
pumping time.

Mom also has had breast augmentation surgery several years ago. ( Red flag
after red flag.)

The father of the child asked me as he was leaving the house:  So you don't
approve of the Ezzo method?  I tried to turn it into a teachable moment.  I
said your baby can't tell time, he only knows when he feels hunger.  His
only way of communicating is through crying.  It is important to pick him
up.  To find out what he needs.  It is ok to offer the breast first.  Then
go down the line of other causes.

I am writing this post because I am sad. After they left I felt so
inadequate, even though I did what I could and should have done.

The parents were not purposely starving their child.  They had purchased
parenting material that was prescribed by their church, they are young, and
wanted to do what they thought was best.

Hopefully I have educated them, and the pediatrician.

 Today is the day I go in for the interview about the Ezzo parenting method,
with our local newspaper.  Wish me luck.

Jane Squires
Martinsburg, WV

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