Unfortunately, this practice is apparantly not that uncommon.  A couple
years ago we learned it was being used in our NICU and the practice had
spread to the mom/baby unit on nights.  The nurses seemed to know that
the "powers that be" would not like the practice, as it was done
surreptitiously for some time.  The real corker was that the pharmacy
was supplying the syrup whenever requested!  The department head learned
about the practice and let it be known that it was to cease
immediately.  The "stash" of syrup was thrown away, only to be
discovered back again a few days later hidden a little further away.  I
believe they may still use it with the neonatologist's blessing for some
NICU babies, but it appears it has been eliminated from the mom/baby
unit.
This is reminiscent of the vanilla flavored pacifiers we had problems
with a few years ago.  In addition to the generic reasons not to use
pacifiers, the babies were getting "hoked" on the taste and parents
would come back to the unit desparate to get another one as they could
not be purchased anywhere.  Now is anyone surprised that this particular
demon was provided "gratis" by a formula company?!
Winnie Mading, IBCLC etc.- no longer surprised at what those companies
will devise to get their product into babies and thus the parents' money
into their pockets!

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