Dear Marla,
Not only is it frustrating it is impossible to get a baby to latch with a belly full 
of ABM.  They go into a coma practically.  Do a little research on what amt a 
baby's stomach capacity is and tape it to the formula cupboard.  Inform staff 
that if they "must" supplement 5 - 10 cc's is plenty for a newborn who by 
hospital protocol "must" have a supplement ie (hypoglycemia) if the mom has 
not pre-expressed any colostrum to bring with her.  No supplementing in first 
24 hours is written write into our crib cards, along w/s/sx of hunger cues.  
Babies are just learning to live outside the womb and are coordinating 
suck/swallow/breathing. As well as looking into moms eyes and doing lovely 
imprinting on her face.  I tell the moms that this is just as important as 
feeding in the early hours/day.  I have done a lot of research and have the 
graphic display  on the formula cupboard  on how much is 
necessary "necessary" to some pedi's, not all, if they insist on topping off, or 
the mom is convinced she doesn't have milk yet.  so frustrating.  Soon we will 
have no more formula, as we are going baby friendly.  Use some sites like 
www.abfmed.org as the doctors tend to respect this site, written for docs by 
docs.  You will find lots of information on issues like jaundice, low blood sugar, 
and other topics which can help your hospital become up to speed on some of 
this stuff.  If you have any specific questions e-mail me off list.  Keep fighting 
for those moms and babies.  Use evidence based research, it is hard re-
training an old dog to do new tricks, but it can be done.

I would also consider re-writing your hospitals breastfeeding protocols.  Now I 
have a source to present to staff who insist on feeding babies more than they 
need and driving away the desire to suckle.  Include skin to skin information 
and show the data that  babies who are put to skin immediately require less 
intervention. s/s provides warmth, regulates respirations, keeps blood sugars 
up , babies cry less and often initiates the baby to start to look for moms 
breast.  But keep them together for hours not just a few minutes.  Do you 
practice rooming in?  I hope so...
best,
robin

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