Cathy:
In response to your irritation this attitude is prevalent all over the
country. This is not new. This does make it very hard for LC's. Just
because it is easier to feed the prepared fluids rather than wait for
the mother to pump fresh milk. I can understand Jay's position very
well.
I think the HCP's take advantage of the mother's tired state to help
them feel as if they are doing the right things for feeding. I agree
with you "The parents shouldn't HAVE to be the ones to be
constantly vigilant as to what's being done to/with their baby at a time
like this - anyone and everyone who works in a hospital NICU should be
sufficiently educated as to not pass out such pieces of misinformation!
And that it is a BIG DEAl but I am not sure how one is going to get
around this misinformation giving other than being a role model to the
nursing staff. Yes breastmilk can raise a blood sugar quite nicely
probably better that formula but HCP's work against the clock so
the quicker the rise the less intensive the work load. Sometimes they
just plain just don't know how to be patient with the mom to pump her
milk, they feel it takes too long etc.  I have heard a bazillion
different stories of why the need for formula.
We can only role model and hope some will absorb even a bit of
incidental teaching!
Jean