In a message dated 2/1/99 7:16:58 PM Central Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

<< Get the baby breastfeeding well from day one without supplement=
 s
 and the risk of hyperbilirubinemia is greatly decreased, the most common
 cause of physiologic jaundice.  Just my two cents.  =

 Pat Bull, RN, IBCLC >>

Hi everyone, I'm new to the list and have been lurking for a couple of weeks.
This is my first post.  I'm a postpartum nurse in a very BF unfriendly (IMHO)
hospital.  I encourage everyone of my moms to BF exclusively.  This past
Saturday a patient of mine was breastfeeding the baby beautifully.  The baby
was happy, content, sleeping, had lots of wet and dirty diapers.  The lab
called and told me that the baby was a positive coombs.  We drew all of the
labs and found that the bili was 1.9 (total) and 0.1 (direct).  Very low.
Anyhow, I left at 3:00 and the next nurse told this mom that she had to
supplement the baby with ABM because of the risk of jaundice.  Mom went with
what that nurse told her and supplemented.  The baby immediately became gassy,
fussy, and didn't sleep well.  I got back in with the mom the next morning and
she told me what had happened - I just about lost it.  I couldn't believe
someone would interrupt a baby from breastfeeding beautifully just because
there is a "risk" of jaundice.  Ugh...  this other nurse has about 25 years of
experience on me (I'm a new RN - just graduated last May) and thinks she knows
it all.  I was incredibly frustrated and told the mom that the baby had been
content, had all the signs of a satisfied baby when she wasn't supplementing -
so "In my opinion, you don't need to supplement.  Ask the pediatrician when
she comes in to make sure" (I knew this pedi would back me up on this one).
Oh what a frustrating job I have.
Sorry this was so long - looks like I got a little windy for my first post!
Kim (in oh so sunny and warm Houston)