Dear Lactnet Friends:

Lisa asks for undermining comments.

One undermining practice comes from pediatricians who say, "Your baby isn't
gaining (enough) weight; you have to give formula after every breastfeed."
No mention of evaluating breastfeeding.

Another undermining practice is using the growth charts as if they were a
bell curve: "Your baby was on the A curve 2 months ago, and is now on the C
curve. Your baby is failing the course. Stop breastfeeding and give
formula." First of all, are the correct growth charts being used (the CDC
ones based on the WHO studies), NOT the ones based on formula fed infants
in Ohio.

Secondly, a baby needs to grow in reference to itself; there has to be a
baby at the 1% . That baby is not worse than the baby at the 99th
percentile!

Thirdly, LOOK at the baby. If the baby is bright-eyed and bushy tailed,
alert, eager, engaged, meeting milestones, believe it. Babies don't pretend
to be well to make their mothers feel better. I've had mothers of babies
with late-onset jaundice wean because the MD is treating the numbers;
meanwhile their baby is growing and healthy and adorable. . . .and yellow.

I know you'll do a terrific job, Lisa. I so enjoyed your presentation at
the LC in PP conference a few years ago!

warmly,

-- 
Nikki Lee RN, BSN, Mother of 2, MS, IBCLC, CCE, CIMI, ANLC, CKC
Reviews Editor,* Clinical Lactation*
www.nikkileehealth.com
https://www.facebook.com/nikkileehealth
*Communications are confidential and meant only for whom they are
addressed.*

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